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Gulf
Flounder (Paralichthys
albigutta)
Description:
Body color brown, its shade depending on color of bottom,
with numerous spots and blotches; 3 prominent eye-like spots
forming a triangle; one spot on lateral line, one above, one
below; numerous white spots scattered over body and fins (albigutta,
white spotted); strong canine-like teeth; caudal fin in shape
of wedge, its tip in the middle.
Similar
fish: Southern flounder; P. lethostigma (no eye-like
spots; color pattern is key to distinguishing the two species).
Where
found: Inshore on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging
into tidal creeks; occasionally caught on Nearshore rocky
reefs.
Size:
Common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder.
Remarks:
Hatches into usual fish form, but right eye migrates over
to left side early in life; a bottom dweller; thought to spawn
offshore; feeds on crustaceans and small fishes.
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