The body outline of the turbot is almost circular. The upper side lacks scales, but has many bony tubercules.
Males tend to be smaller than females.
The planktonic young move to the bottom at about 4-6 months, to inhabit shallow inshore waters. Turbot reach sexual maturity at about 5 years, when 30-40 cm long. Turbot generally inhabit waters of 20-80 m, on both sandy and rocky ground. Food consists mainly of small fish, such as sandeels, gobies and sprats, but turbot may also take crustaceans and molluscs. The turbot has a widespread distribution throughout UK waters.