Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

Scientific name: Paralichthys lethostigma Jordan & Gilbert, 1884

Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

The Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a brackish-water fish of the family Paralichthyidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, North Carolina to Texas in USA, but absent from southern Florida.

Biology

Found mostly over mud bottoms in estuaries and coastal waters to about 40 m depth. A cryptic species; tolerates low salinities; occurs frequently in brackish bays and estuaries, even on occasion in fresh water. Taken by anglers inshore from bridges, jetties and small boats; this species moves to deeper water in winter, but is still easily accessible. Feeds chiefly on fishes, also on crabs and shrimps. Juveniles take mainly small bottom-living invertebrates. Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, boiled, microwaved and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Paralichthys lethostigma
Family
Paralichthyidae (Large-tooth flounders)
Order
Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
83.0
Common length
50.0
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: North Carolina to Texas in USA, but absent from southern Florida.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21-0.23; tmax=8)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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