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.
*Florida Record:
n/a
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.
* The Florida
records quoted are from the Department of Environmental
Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not
necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as
only as a benchmark.
Regulations
Min. Size Limits:
Not less than 12"
Closed Seasons:
None.
Daily Rec. Bag Limit:
10 per person per day.
Remarks:
May be harvested by Spearing. |
