Flounder in the 2023 live‑action The Little Mermaid is portrayed as a sergeant major fish , a small tropical reef fish with yellow coloring and blue vertical stripes.

What type of fish is Flounder in the new Little Mermaid?

In earlier Disney material and fan discussions, Flounder has long been described broadly as a “tropical fish,” often compared to angelfish or other bright reef fish rather than a true flat flounder.

For the newer, live‑action version, however, Disney’s official description (as reflected in licensed reference sites and tie‑in material) specifies him more precisely as a sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis) , which matches his yellow body and blue stripes in the film’s realistic CGI design.

So, if you’re answering in a super clear, up‑to‑date way:

  • In the animated original : Not a real flounder; basically an invented tropical reef fish , visually similar to angelfish.
  • In the 2023 live‑action remake : Depicted and identified as a sergeant major fish.

Mini FAQ

  1. Is Flounder actually a flounder?
    No. Biologically, real flounders are flat, bottom‑dwelling fish with both eyes on one side, which looks nothing like Ariel’s round, upright‑swimming buddy.
  1. Why does he look so different in the new movie?
    The live‑action remake leans into more realistic ocean animals, so Flounder was redesigned to resemble a real reef fish species (the sergeant major) instead of a cartoony fantasy fish.
  1. What’s the “short answer” people use online?
    When people ask “what type of fish is Flounder in the new Little Mermaid ,” the clean, current answer is: He’s a sergeant major tropical reef fish, not an actual flounder.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.