Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Scientific name: Paralichthys dentatus Linnaeus, 1766

The Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) is a marine fish of the family Paralichthyidae. Native range: Northwest Atlantic, Maine (rarely Nova Scotia, Canada) to northern Florida, USA.

Biology

Adults usually prefer hard sandy substrate where they can burrow; can exploit a broad range of lower and mid-estuary habitats including salt marsh creeks and seagrass beds, which usually have muddy or silty substrates, as well as sand flats. Occur in bays, lagoons and shallow coastal waters. Utilized fresh and frozen; can be steamed, fried, boiled, microwaved and baked. Exported fresh to Japan for sashimi.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Paralichthys dentatus
Family: Paralichthyidae (Large-tooth flounders)
Order: Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 94.0
Depth range: 10–183 m (33–600 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; oceanodromous; depth range 10 - 183 m, usually ? - 37 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Northwest Atlantic: Maine (rarely Nova Scotia, Canada) to northern Florida, USA.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Other
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.77-0.84(?); assuming tm>=2)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026