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Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) — Paralichthyidae

Gulf flounder

Paralichthys albigutta
LC · Least Concern

The Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 71 cm.

Length
71 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
19.0–130.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Gulf flounder is a left-eyed flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae from the western Atlantic, from the southeastern United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Both eyes lie on the left side; the upper side is brown with three conspicuous eyespots, while the underside is white. The species reaches about 71 cm and inhabits bays, lagoons and shallow coastal waters with hard and sandy bottoms. It lies half-buried on the bottom and ambushes fishes and crustaceans. The Gulf flounder is caught with trawls and by gigging and is of modest commercial importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gulf flounder?

The Gulf flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Gulf flounder live?

The Gulf flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Gulf flounder get?

The Gulf flounder grows to a maximum of about 71 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Gulf flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Gulf flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Gulf flounder edible?

The Gulf flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zomervogel sourced
English name
Gulf flounder verified
Scientific name
Paralichthys albigutta
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Gulf flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
71.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
19.0 verified
Max depth (m)
130.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Gevangen met trawls en met de speer (gigging); kleinschalige commerciële en sportvisserij. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Paralichthys

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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