Is flounder a sea fish or a river fish? Sea flounder: description, habitats, spawning and fishing methods.

Nov-17-2016

What is flounder?

The sole (Pleuronectes platessa) is a marine fish of the flounder family (Pleuronectidae). It is distinguished by a strongly flattened body and the location of the eyes on one side. The side facing up is more brightly colored. Has the ability to mimicry. In the process of development from eggs to juveniles, it swims like everyone else ordinary fish. However, when it reaches a certain size, metamorphosis occurs and its eye moves to the other side. Reaches a length of 50-60 cm, maximum known weight is about 7 kg. Fertility up to 500 thousand eggs.

Flounder is hunted for its tasty meat.

Wikipedia

What kind of fish is flounder, the benefits and harms of flounder for the human body are of great interest to people who lead healthy image life, monitor their health, and are interested in traditional methods treatment. So we will try to answer questions that interest this category of people.

Flounders include fish that have in the price list the generalized trade names of flounder itself (Far Eastern, northern, Azov-Black Sea), sole, turbot and halibut (arrow-toothed halibut is especially highlighted). Only in the waters of the northern part of the basin Pacific Ocean About 30 species of flounder are known, and all of them are summarized in industry and trade under the single trade name “Far Eastern flounder.”

Meanwhile, their consumer properties are far from the same. The best among the Far Eastern flounders (namely, they represent our main commercial mass) are yellowfin, whose fins (“feathers”) are bright yellow, as well as dark, yellow-striped and Japanese. Star flounder also has good meat, but its disadvantage is that the bone formations are rather deep-seated and scattered throughout the body.

Flounders are bottom-dwelling fish. They swim in a flat position, dark side up, and light - down.

All fish bearing the trade name flounder, sole and turbot have a caudal fin without a notch and are shaped like an outstretched fan.

The main commercial species of Far Eastern flounder is the yellowfin flounder. Its share in domestic catches of Far Eastern flounder for last years is about 80%. The weight of this fish in the fishery usually ranges from 100-800 g. The fat content in meat is from 1 to 5%, and protein - from 12 to 19%.

Flounders are very good northern seas. Due to its significant size, weight (usually 0.5-1.0 kg), taste, aroma, consistency and chemical composition meat this is an excellent fish.

The northern flounder fishery is significant, and these fish have gained well-deserved popularity. These include, in particular, spotted sole and long flounder; The very tasty ruff flounder, common in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, is now quite deservedly included among them. It is caught at depths of up to 500 m and at temperatures slightly above and below 0° C.

In the Barents Sea, the length of the fish reaches 51.5 cm, weight - up to 1.5 kg. In domestic catches, specimens usually have a length of 20-45 cm.

So that the flounder does not sometimes have an unpleasantly specific odor, so that it is possible not to remove the scales and not crush the tender meat, it is recommended to cut off the soft fins framing the entire body of the still frozen flounder with sharp scissors, then remove the head and vigorously pull off the very thin, easily peeled off frozen fish peel.

To avoid damaging the integrity of carcasses or pieces of very tender flounder meat during frying, you should immerse them in a pancake-like consistency dough (batter) before frying, and when cooking, do not allow the water to boil strongly and do not overcook the fish. It is best to steam flounder.

Among the flounders, the family of soles is also known (the name is given because of their elongated body, which is unusual for flounders).

Beneficial features:

The benefits of flounder for humans cannot be overestimated, since it is not only a source of complete protein, but also surpasses beef and chicken in protein digestibility.

With regular use, sugar and cholesterol are reduced. Flounder has beneficial properties: regulates water-salt balance, strengthens the nervous and musculoskeletal system, increases hemoglobin, improves mental activity. Regular inclusion of flounder in the diet increases sexual activity, immunity and performance. Promotes the healing process of wounds, has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, and restores the hair structure.

The balanced composition of flounder promotes the process of weight loss and helps maintain the achieved results. This fish is known for its properties - inhibiting the development of cancer cells. It ranks first among all fish species in the fight against cancer (salmon is second, cod is third).

Flounder has a positive effect on cardiovascular functionality, respiratory system. Tones the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates metabolic processes.

Due to the presence of vitamins and “light” proteins, flounder is included in the diet for rehabilitation therapy after illnesses. It is also prescribed for the treatment of oncological manifestations of various types, and is included in the menu during a course of chemotherapy. Recommended for arrhythmia, ischemia, hypertension, angina pectoris, for cleansing blood vessels of fatty deposits and reducing cholesterol.

Flounder is indicated for the prevention of heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes. Used for protein deficiency, dystrophy, to strengthen the muscular system and bones.

Collagen obtained from flounder is included in various cosmetics, as it is considered more effective than other sources. Cosmetologists advise regularly using flounder in your diet, as the composition of this fish helps restore the quality of the structure of hair and nails. Dandruff and fragility are eliminated, and the hair follicle is strengthened. Fresh fish caviar is included in face masks, which tone, rejuvenate, give elasticity, and improve skin color.

Not only the fish itself, but also its caviar, which has high energy and biological value, has significant benefits for the body. Maximum benefit Caviar is useful in cases of iodine deficiency, as well as in cases of anemia. Due to its high amount of iron, it is recommended to include it in children's menu. The only contraindication for use is the presence of allergies, in other cases it is completely safe.

Contraindications:

First of all, fish is contraindicated for all those who have an individual intolerance to seafood;

This is a high source of protein, so the product should be consumed with restrictions in case of liver and kidney diseases;

Smoked flounder is contraindicated for hypertension and heart disease;

Since flounder is a bottom fish, it may contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Therefore, it is important to buy fish from trusted places; it is important that it has a quality certificate.

Many people do not like the specific smell of flounder, which is why they refuse it. In fact, getting rid of the smell is as easy as shelling pears; you just need to remove the dark skin and wash the fish thoroughly. The specific smell also interrupts the white dry wine or lemon juice. You can also soak the fish in milk for one hour; it will completely lose its smell.

Dietary recipe for cooking flounder:

Ingredients:

headless flounder 1 piece weighing 1.3-1.5 kg
butter 50 g
several sprigs of dill
a few sprigs of parsley
lemon 1 piece
ground black pepper to taste
salt to taste
vegetable oil 1 tbsp. spoon

How to cook:

Preheat the oven to 220°C.

Remove the butter from the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature to soften. Wash the lemon hot water to wash off the unhealthy wax coating from the citrus. Cut in half.

Wash the flounder and dry using paper towels. Place the fish on a cutting board, yellowish skin side up. Using a sharp knife, make several shallow diagonal cuts.

Remove the fins from the flounder and rub it all over with salt. Place the prepared fish on a baking sheet greased with vegetable oil, with the yellowish skin facing up.

Bake the fish for 5 minutes. Then remove the pan from the oven and drizzle the juice of half a lemon over the flounder.

Continue cooking for another 20 minutes on the top rack of the oven.

Meanwhile, wash, dry and finely chop the dill and parsley. Measure out 2 teaspoons of each type of green.

Place the chopped greens in a small bowl, add butter, pepper to taste and mash well with a fork into a homogeneous mass.

Transfer the baked flounder to a large platter and immediately top it with the herbed butter. Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Which belongs to the flounder family. The strongly flattened body, as well as the eyes located on one side of the fish, are its two most important differences. The eyes are most often on the right side. The body of the flounder is asymmetrical with a double color: the side with the eyes is dark brown with an orange-yellowish spot, and the “blind” side is white, rough with dark spots. Flounder feeds on crustaceans and bottom fish. In commercial catches, its average length reaches 35-40 cm. The fertility of adult flounder is from hundreds of thousands to ten million eggs.

Description

Flounder fish

All flounders have a flat body. The lower part is one of the sides of the fish, which has moved as a result of undergoing metamorphosis, which is characteristic of all flatfishes. The lower part can be compared to sandpaper: it is very rough from constant contact with the bottom of the reservoir, there are no eyes here. The eye on this side moves to the other, since it is bad to observe what is happening with one eye.

The upper part of the fish contains pectoral fins. There is also an eye that has moved from the bottom side. Flounder has a pigment that allows it to imitate any surface. This is necessary for the fish in order to hide at the bottom from predators who love to feast on it. If you put a flounder on a chessboard, then light and dark spots, as on the board.

Varieties

There are two main types of flounder: river flounder and sea flounder. Externally, the fish are very similar to each other, but they may differ in size and body weight. There is a wide variety of flounder species within the genus, but the largest one is caught at sea. She weighed more than a hundredweight, and her body length was 2 meters. River flounder grows up to 50 centimeters and reaches a weight of 2 kilograms, and sea flounder grows up to 60 centimeters and weighs 7 kilograms. But in the photo they look about the same.

Of course, everyone who sees this type of fish for the first time is interested in the question: why is flounder flat? This is necessary in order to lead a benthic lifestyle and burrow into the ground as much as possible, imitating its structure, otherwise the fish will serve as food for predators. The young flounder swims vertically, and appearance he has an ordinary one, familiar to us. However, as the fish grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis, and it already swims sideways, and all parts of the body are displaced for a more convenient existence.

Distribution and habitats

Marine, as well as river species flounder have various places a habitat. Marine fish live mainly in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. But it is also common in the White, Northern and Okhotsk Seas. River flounder can live both in the sea and in rivers, where they can swim quite far. This fish lives in the Black and Mediterranean seas, in the rivers flowing into them, as well as in the Yenisei. There is even a special type of flounder: Black Sea flounder.

Varieties of flounder

Black Sea flounder is valuable commercial fish, which fishermen love to hunt. Black Sea flounder, like any other, prefers to lead a bottom-dwelling lifestyle. It is preferable for her that the soil be loose enough to burrow into it easily. But thanks to the ability of mimicry, this is not so important: how many colored stones there are on the bottom, the number of colors will be conveyed by the upper surface of the fish.

Habits

It doesn’t matter whether the flounder is freshwater or saltwater, all representatives of this family are very poor swimmers. Sensing danger, the fish turn over on their edge and quickly swim away in this position. As soon as the danger has passed, they sink back to the ground and burrow.

Depending on where the flounder lives, it is capable of changing its color at lightning speed, acquiring the desired shade. The color of the fish depends primarily on the color of the seabed and its pattern. When changing, flounder achieves such colors as to be practically invisible. This kind of adaptability is called mimicry. But not all representatives of this genus have this property, but only those that see. Having lost its sight, the fish will no longer be able to change the color of its body.

Flounder is a sea fish whose size ranges from a few grams to three hundred kilograms. Its weight and size depend primarily on the type. Some individuals reach four meters in length. Many of us have heard of halibut, but everyone knows that it is flounder. What kind of fish - river or sea - is certainly not known to many. Meanwhile, halibuts are the largest flounder that live in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. A fish weighing 363 kilograms was recorded, and this is the largest value known to science. An interesting fact is that this species of flounder can live up to fifty years of age. In addition, flounder is a valuable marine commercial fish.

Diet

Flounder feeds very variedly. It can be classified as a predatory fish. The basis of nutrition consists of worms, mollusks and small crustaceans. But small fish that swim near the shelter are also often eaten. The fish does not like to leave it, so as not to become prey itself.

Despite the fact that flounder is a predator, fishermen prefer to use natural bait. To do this, they take worms or shellfish meat. For a fish to pay attention to its potential prey, it must be right under its nose. Otherwise, she is unlikely to come out of hiding, even to eat.

Reproduction

Flounder

Flounder breeds between February and May. This variation in timing is due to the fact that the habitat is quite wide, and in each case the fish has its own period of time when active spawning occurs. Despite the fact that flounder prefers to live alone, it gathers in schools for spawning. Sometimes several varieties of flounder mix in schools, and then crossing of different species can occur.

Flounder reaches sexual maturity at 3-4 years. During the spawning period, it spawns from several hundred to several million eggs. The amount of caviar depends on the type and size of the fish. The eggs survive an incubation period of 11 days, after which the fry hatch. The fry's left eye is on the left side, and the right eye is on the right: everything is like in ordinary fish.

After hatching, the fry feed on zooplankton, and as they grow, they feed on more nutritious food. Gradually the left side turns into the lower part, from which the eye moves to the right side. Very rarely the right side becomes the lower part. What this is connected with is still unknown to science.

Flounder is very strange fish, which had to go through a long evolutionary path. Thanks to its features, it is almost invisible on the bottom, but experienced fishermen can force it to grab the hook by teasing the “bottom” with a tasty bait.

Fishing methods

Flounder is a bottom dweller, and therefore the hunting technique for it is appropriate. It is caught at a depth of 10 to 100 meters, with powerful carp and feeder rods using heavy equipment (from the shore), or by vertical lures from a boat, with the exception of non-sporting methods of fishing with nets. But it is better to choose special sea fishing rods that have a special coating against corrosive sea salt.

Flounder should be understood as several species of fish, distinguished by their unusual body structure and body shape itself. Flounder should be understood as “flat” fish species, which is what it means in translation.

As a rule, these types of fish live in close proximity to the bottom and are of industrial interest due to the fact that the meat of these fish is excellent taste qualities. Basically, flounder lives in the seas and oceans, but sometimes enters rivers. Flounder is considered a predatory fish because it feeds exclusively on living organisms. About how much healthy fish, its catching and its behavior will be discussed in this article.

Appearance

What is most interesting is that what is seen is not the truth. The back and belly of the flounder are actually the sides of the fish, some of which are colored and others not. At the same time, both eyes of the fish are located on one side, although they can look into different sides, independently of one another. This allows the fish to react in time to external stimuli, such as the enemies of flounder. They also help her hunt.

Adults lie on their sides, with their eyes moving to the top of the head, which is their characteristic feature. Determining how old an individual is is quite simple by the asymmetry of its body. In adult individuals, there is a strong asymmetry of the body, and the part of the body on which it spends almost its entire life is characterized by very pronounced roughness. Its color is somewhat pale, and its eyes are located on the other side. As for the other side, it is smooth and has a sandy color, which helps the fish camouflage on the bottom. The color of the top may depend on the fish's habitat. Young individuals are practically no different from common species fish and swim vertically as well. In the process of growing up, certain metamorphoses occur. By the time of reproduction, the flounder becomes a flounder: the left eye moves to the right side, and the fish begins to swim horizontally.

Flounder hides from its enemies at the bottom, burying itself in sand or other soil. At the same time, she leaves her eyes outside to monitor what is happening around her. In this position, she also monitors potential prey. If it suits her, she instantly grabs it.

The lower part of the flounder has quite durable and rough skin. This is due to the fact that the fish mainly moves along the bottom, among scatterings of stones and shells, which can be quite sharp. To the touch, this part of the flounder’s body can be compared to sandpaper. There are species of flounder that can change color depending on their habitat, which helps the fish hide from their enemies.

Where does flounder live?

Flounder can be found in almost all oceans and seas. Most representatives of this species prefer the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as waters Sea of Japan etc. Oddly enough, the flounder was discovered in the Mariana Trench, at a depth of 11 km. This type of flounder grows up to 30 cm in length. Three species of flounder live in the Black Sea. The largest species is the kalkan flounder. Some individuals are capable of gaining weight up to 15 kg. In addition, the kalkan flounder is capable of changing its color, adapting to external living conditions. This species of flounder has no scales.

In the Black Sea there are river flounder (gloss) and sole, which also belongs to this type of fish. Many fishermen note that the most catchy place is Kerch Strait. In addition, fishing can be no less productive at Cape Tarkhankut, as well as at the mouths of the Dniester and Dnieper. The same types of flounder are also found in the Sea of Azov.

How does it reproduce

Flounder, compared to other fish species, is quite prolific. Adults are capable of laying up to ten million eggs. This fish lays eggs at a depth of at least 50 meters.

Flounder meat is valued for its taste characteristics, therefore, it is caught in industrial scale. Especially, olive Japanese flounder and European flounder are in great demand. Flounders are also very popular among amateur fishermen, especially those that inhabit the northern and western parts of the Atlantic Ocean. As a rule, amateur fishermen go to the open ocean or open sea to catch this tasty fish and try their hand.

Flounder fishing

What gear is used

Since flounder leads a bottom-dwelling lifestyle, bottom (feeder) gear is more suitable for catching it. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that flounder can be caught with a spoon if it is held at the very bottom or using the vertical lure method. As bait for the hook, you should choose those living organisms that are included in the diet of flounder.

Line selection

The main line should have a thickness of about 0.5-0.7 mm, and the line for the leash is chosen a little thinner, about 0.4-0.6 mm. This is necessary so that the fishing line can withstand a large specimen, which gets hooked quite often. When fishing, flounder exhibits great resistance. This is also due to the structure of her body. The strongly flattened body provides a lot of resistance, plus the resistance of the fish itself. When fishing from the shore, you need to have enough line to cast the tackle as far as possible.

Selection of hooks

It is better to choose hooks for catching flounder with a long shank and numbers No. 6, No. 7. This is due to the fact that flounder can swallow the bait quite deeply. Therefore, other sizes and shapes of hooks are subsequently difficult to remove from the fish’s mouth.

Bait

Experienced fishermen point out that small mollusks, crabs or small fish, which form the basis of its diet, can be put on the hook. You need to attach it so that the hook is not visible.

Methods for catching flounder

Flounder can be caught either from the shore or from a boat. She swallows the bait in a lying position, after which she tries to move to the side. At this moment you need to hook. When playing, you should take into account the fact that this fish strongly resists, therefore, you should not force events.

You need to wait the right time, gradually pulling it either to the shore or to the boat. During this time she will get tired, and at the end of the event she will not resist so much. This will allow you not only to catch such tasty fish, but also to keep your tackle intact.

Catching flounder from the shore is effective when it comes close to the shore, which happens at the end of autumn and this period continues for almost the whole winter. To catch flounder from the shore, you need to arm yourself with:

Spinning rod, the length of which can range from 2 to 5 meters. Moreover, the spinning rod must be powerful, with a dough of at least 150 grams.
Feeder (bottom tackle). To catch this powerful fish Powerful river feeders with a marine reel installed on them are perfect.
A powerful and strong fishing line, with a breaking force of at least 10 kilograms. Its thickness is selected within 0.5 mm, no less. This is also necessary in order to cast far a tackle with a sinker weighing about 200 grams. If the reservoir has a sandy bottom, then it is better to take an anchor sinker.
Hooks, numbers from No. 6 to No. 12.

Some tips for catching flounder from the shore

Flounder prefers a solitary lifestyle and does not travel in schools.
If the shore is sandy, then this is one of the best places to catch this fish. You should not choose a place with stones. The tackle needs to be thrown at different distances in a checkerboard pattern.
It is necessary to throw the tackle as far as possible, at a distance of at least 50 meters. The rod on the shore should be set at an angle of 75 degrees.
It is better to place small fish on the hook, either whole or in pieces.
If the shore is flat, then it is better to take advantage of this advantage by dragging the flounder to the shore.
If the fish weighs 5 kilograms or more, then pulling it out is not easy, without some experience. In this case, it is better to exhaust the fish, although this may take a lot of time.
As experienced fishermen point out, the most intense bite is observed early in the morning, although it is possible to catch flounder at night.
The bite is determined by the behavior of the rod tip. If there is wind and waves on the water, then this is more difficult to do without experience in catching this fish.
When catching the Black Sea flounder kalkan, you should be extremely careful, since it has a sharp spine that can easily create a long-lasting wound on the human body. When catching flounder, it is better to remove this thorn immediately.

Using some tips, flounder fishing will always be productive. For example:

For fishing from a boat you do not need a long spinning rod. Even a winter fishing rod can come in handy here. The thickness of the fishing line is selected in the range of 0.5-0.6 mm.
The line for the leash is selected within 0.35 mm.
The sinker is selected weighing from 80 to 120 grams. It is better not to use an anchor sinker.
When fishing from a boat, the bait should be lowered vertically in relation to the boat. If the place is not deep, then the tackle can be thrown to the side, and then pulled up to the “plumb” position. The second cast is carried out in the same way, but from the other side of the boat.
If bites are rare, then you can lower the spinning rods on both sides of the boat, and cast the third one.
If a flounder bites, it will mean that it is securely on the hook, since its mouth is strong.
When fishing from a boat, you need to have a hook, since it is unlikely that you will be able to drag a large specimen into the boat with your hands.

Flounder meat is considered dietary and is easily digested by the human body. Flounder meat contains B vitamins, as well as microelements, which have a positive effect on the functioning of almost all internal organs.

100 grams of flounder meat contains only 90 kcal. At the same time, 16 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat were found. Flounder meat does not contain carbohydrates, which contribute to weight gain. excess weight. Flounder meat is not only healthy, but also tasty.

Despite this, flounder has its own specific aroma, which disappears if the skin is removed from the fish. Thanks to his amazing taste, man has come up with many recipes and cooking methods. The meat of this fish can be fried, boiled, stewed or baked. At the same time, you must always remember that it is most beneficial when the majority of the fish is retained in the meat. useful substances, flounder will turn out if you boil, stew or bake it. Many experts do not recommend frying flounder, since any fried dish burdens the stomach.

Flounder is a very common, healthy fish, characterized by unsurpassed taste. Thanks to such data, it is caught on an industrial scale.

Along with fishermen, flounder fishing is also carried out by amateurs. Basically, they are attracted by the fact that the flounder seriously resists, and this means extra doses of adrenaline and a memory for life. For fishing to be successful, you need to correctly select all the elements of the gear and find a catchable place.

Flounder is an exotic fish, although it is quite common. She is very popular because of her appearance: “flattened” body horizontally, and also because of its amazing taste and considerable usefulness of meat. It is quite difficult to catch due to its ability to adapt to color environment and burrow into the bottom.

Characteristics and classification

From birth, flounder fry are no different from the fry of other fish, but as they grow, they become more and more like adults.

In the first year of life they are symmetrical, but in the second year the fry lie on the bottom, as a result of which their structure changes very quickly and acquires the appearance characteristic of adults. The eye, which is located on the bottom side, moves up, change the location of internal organs, changes skin covering. The top of the fish’s body darkens and becomes covered with mucus, and the lower part remains white or light yellow, but becomes dense and rough to protect the fish from damage from sharp bottom surfaces.

The size of an adult varies from 30 cm to 1 meter, but on average the length of the most common commercial specimens is 40−50 cm. Usually this fish lives at a depth of 10−15 meters, but in some cases it can be found at a depth of up to 200 meters.

There are different types of flounder fish, as a result of which there are often disputes between flounder sea fish and river fish. The main types of flounder used for fishing purposes are:

Consequently, there are a couple of main species: river and sea flounder. They are not very different from each other in appearance, but their size and weight are different. As a rule, marine individuals are larger than river ones.

Nutritional features of flounder

All representatives of flounder-like animals are predators, so it’s easy to guess what flounder eats. Its diet consists of bottom-dwelling mollusks, crustaceans and brittle stars. Some species, for example river fish, eat slow and sedentary animals that have a hard shell. Have more predatory species, for example, Kalkan, the diet includes small fish and crabs. Flounder especially favors capelin and shrimp.

The diet of flounder moths is slightly different. Their diet includes benthos, worms, amphipods, larvae, crustaceans and caviar.

Habitat and lifestyle

Due to the many varieties, the distribution area of this fish is very wide.. She lives:

Flounder lives on the bottom in absolute solitude, successfully merging with the color of its landscape. Basically, the fish lies on the surface of the bottom soil or buried in its sediments up to the eye level. This allows the flounder to remain undetected for longer large predators, and also get food for themselves by stalking prey from ambush.

Despite the external slowness of the fish, it is an excellent swimmer. If required, it can take off instantly and reach high speed over short distances. This is achieved due to the fact that the flounder “shoots” water with strong pressure into the bottom through the gills located closer to the bottom. And while the silt or sand that rose from the bottom at this time dissipates, the fish manages to grab its prey, and also hide from the predator that discovered it.

From February to May she has a breeding season. Active spawning occurs in various individuals in different time depending on their habitat. During the spawning season they gather in flocks. It happens that different species of flounder gather in one flock, resulting in crossing of species.

The ability to spawn in this fish appears in at different ages depending on the species: for the river fish at the third or fourth year of life, for the Kalkan at six to eleven years, for the halibut at ten to fourteen years. During this time, she can spawn hundreds, thousands and millions of eggs, depending on their variety and size. However, most of the eggs are eaten by other fish, and in the spawning of one female only a small amount of The fry are able to survive and survive until winter. Incubation The egg period is eleven days, after which fry are born from them.

The lifespan of flounders varies depending on the sex: males live from twenty to twenty-five years, and females are slightly longer - up to thirty years.

So, the flounder has gone through a long evolutionary path in its development, having learned to hide perfectly on the bottom, practically merging with it, to live and reproduce in completely different conditions. It is unlike any other species of fish, having as its unique feature flat appearance.

Flounders, or right-sided flounders (Pleuronectidae) are representatives of the family from the class of ray-finned fish, belonging to the order Flounders. The composition of this family includes six dozen species of fish with a characteristic appearance.

Description of flounder

A peculiarity of representatives of the Flounder family is the location of the eyes on the right side of the head, due to which such fish are called Right-sided flounders. However, so-called reverse or left-sided flounder forms are sometimes found. The pelvic fins are symmetrical and have a narrow base.

General characteristics of all types of the family:

flat body;
elongated dorsal and anal fins with numerous rays;
asymmetrical head;
protruding and closely spaced eyes that function independently of each other;
the presence of a lateral line passing between the eyes;
slanted mouth and sharp teeth;
shortened caudal peduncle;
blind light side covered with rough and durable skin.

Flounder eggs are characterized by the absence of a fat drop, are floating, and the entire development process occurs in the water column or its upper layers. All five species of flounder spawn bottom-type eggs.

Appearance

Regardless of the taxon, all flounders prefer a bottom lifestyle, live at depth and are characterized by a flattened thin body oval or diamond-shaped.

River flounder (Platichthys flesus ) includes Star flounder, Black Sea flounder and Arctic flounder:

Star flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is a species with reverse left-sided eyes, a dark greenish or brown color, wide black stripes on the fins and spiked star-shaped plates on the eye side. Average length body is 50-60 cm with a body weight of 3-4 kg;
Black Sea Kalkan (Scophthalmidae) is a species distinguished by its left eye position, round body shape and many tuberous spines that are scattered on the surface of the sighted brown-olive side. The length of an adult fish is more than a meter with an average weight of 20 kg;
Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis) is a cold-resistant species with an elongated oval body of a uniform dark brownish color with brick-colored fins.

Sea flounder feels comfortable in salty waters. Such species are characterized by a very large variation in size, body shape, fin color, and location of the blind and sighted sides:

Sea flounder (Pleuronectes platessa) is a basal taxon with a main color of brown-green and the presence of reddish or orange spots. Representatives of the species grow up to 6-7 kg with a maximum size of within a meter. The species has developed mimicry;
Southern White-bellied And northern flounder belong to the sea bottom fish, often growing up to 50 cm. A feature of the appearance is the presence of an arched diluted lateral line, the milky color of the blind side, the eye part is brown or wheat-brown;
Yellowfin flounder (Limanda aspera) is a cold-loving species, distinguished by the presence of scales with spines and a rounded brown body framed by yellow-golden fins. The maximum size of an adult fish is approximately 45-50 cm with an average weight of 0.9-1.0 kg;
Halibuts are represented by five species, the largest of which grow up to 4.5 meters with an average weight of 330-350 kg, and the smallest representative is the arrow-toothed halibut, which very rarely gains weight more than 8 kg with a body length of 70-80 cm.

Far Eastern flounder is a collective name that unites a dozen taxa, the so-called flat fish. This species includes yellowfin, star and white-bellied forms, as well as two-lined, proboscis, long-snouted, halibut, yellow-bellied, warty and other flounders.

Character and lifestyle

Flounder leads a predominantly solitary and bottom-dwelling lifestyle. Representatives of the family very skillfully camouflage themselves into the surrounding landscape (mimicry). Such fish spend a significant part of their time lying on the surface of the aquatic soil or burying themselves up to their eyes in various bottom sediments. Thanks to this very rational natural camouflage flounder manages not only to catch prey from a kind of ambush, but also to hide from larger aquatic predators.

Even despite some slowness and apparent clumsiness, the flounder is simply accustomed to moving slowly along the ground, which is caused by wave-like movements. However, if necessary, flounder becomes easy excellent swimmer. Such a fish takes off almost instantly, and over relatively short distances it can easily reach fairly high speeds.

In forced situations, the flounder literally “shoots” its entire flat body several meters at once in the required direction, releasing a very powerful stream of water into the bottom using the gill cover located on the blind side of the head. While a thick suspension of sand and silt settles, the energetic fish has time to grab its prey or quickly hide from a predator.

How long does flounder live?

Average life expectancy of flounder under the most favorable conditions external conditions is about three decades. But in real life Rare members of the family can live to such a respectable age and most often die en masse in industrial fishing nets.

Sexual dimorphism

Male flounder differ from females noticeably in their smaller size, significant distance between the eyes, and longer first rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins.

Types of flounder

The sixty currently known species of flounder are grouped into the main twenty-three genera:

Spiny flounder (Acanthopsetta), including Spiny flounder (Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi) or Reliable flounder;
Arrowtooth halibut (Atheresthes), including Asian halibut (Atheresthes evermanni) and American arrowtooth halibut (Atheresthes stomias);
Sharp-headed flounder (Cleisthenes), including Herzenstein's flounder (Cleisthenes herzensteini) and Sharp-headed flounder (Cleisthenes pinetorum);
Warty flounder (Clidoderma), including Warty flounder (Clidoderma asperrimum);
Eopsetta, including Eopsetta grigorjewi or Far Eastern flounder, and Jordan's Flounder (Eopsetta jordani) or California Eopsetta;
Long flounder (Glyptocephalus), including Red flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), Far Eastern long flounder (Glyptocephalus stelleri) or Steller's smallmouth;
Halibut flounder (Hippoglossoides), including Japanese halibut (Hippoglossoides dubius) or Japanese flounder, Northern halibut (Hippoglossoides elassodon) and Ruff flounder (Hippoglossoides platessoides), and Bering Sea flounder (Hippoglossoides robustus);
Halibuts (Hippoglossus), or turbots, including Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis);
Two-colored flounder (Kareius) and Two-lined flounder (Lepidopsetta), which includes White-bellied flounder (Lepidopsetta mochigarei) and Northern two-lined flounder (Lepidopsetta polyxystra);
Limanda, including Yellowfin Flounder (Limanda aspera), Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea) and Ruffed Flounder (Limanda limanda), Longsnout Flounder (Limanda punctatissima) and Sakhalin Flounder (Limanda sakhalinensis);
Arctic flounder (Liopsetta), including the Northern flounder (Liopsetta putnami);
Oregon flounder (Lyopsetta);
Smallmouth flounder (Microstomus), including Microstomus achne, Smallhead flounder (Microstomus kitt), Pacific smallmouth and Microstomus shuntovi;
River flounders (Platichthys), including Star flounder (Platichthys stellatus);
Flounder (Pleuronectes), including Yellow sole (Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus);
Hardhead flounder (Pleuronichthys), including Pleuronichthys coenosus, Horned flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus);
Spotted flounder (Psettichthys);
Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes), including Yellowstripe flounder (Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini), Schrenk's flounder (Pseudopleuronectes schrenki) and Japanese flounder (Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae).

Also distinguished are the genus Dexistes and the genus Embassichthys, represented by the Deep-sea embassichthys bathybius, the genus Hypsopsetta and Isopsetta, Verasper and Tanakius, Psammodiscus and Marleyella, Parophrys ) and Black Halibuts (Reinhardtius).

This is interesting! Halibut is a representative of the largest flounder in size and inhabits the depths of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the life expectancy is as follows predatory fish may be half a century.

Range, habitats

Platichthys stellatus is a typical inhabitant northern waters The Pacific Ocean, including the Sea of Japan, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Chukchi Sea. Freshwater forms inhabit lagoons, lower reaches of rivers and bays. Representatives of the species Scophthalmidae are found in the northern part of the Atlantic, as well as in the waters of the Black, Baltic and Mediterranean seas. Besides marine environment, flounder of this species feels excellent in the lower reaches of the Southern Bug, Dnieper and Dniester.

The increase in salinity of the waters of the Azov Sea and the shallowing of the rivers flowing into it allowed the Black Sea flounder to spread to the mouth of the Don River. Representatives of a very cold-resistant Arctic species inhabit the waters of the Kara, Barents, White, Bering and Okhotsk seas, and are also found everywhere in the Yenisei, Ob, Kara and Tugur, where such fish prefer soft muddy soils.

The basic marine taxon lives in slightly and highly saline waters, preferring a depth of 30-200 m. Representatives of the species are important objects of commercial fishing, and also inhabit the waters of the Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Barents, White and Baltic seas, and some other seas. Southern white-bellied flounder inhabit coastal zone Primorye and is found in the waters of the Sea of Japan, and adult representatives of the northern subspecies prefer the waters of the Okhotsk, Kamchatka and Bering seas.

This is interesting! Thanks to their rich species diversity and incredible biological flexibility, all flatfish have very successfully acclimatized to areas along the entire Eurasian coast and in the waters of inland seas.

Yellowfin flounder is currently widespread in the Seas of Japan, Okhotsk and Bering Seas. Such fish are quite numerous within Sakhalin and the western coast of Kamchatka, where they prefer to settle at a depth of 15-80 meters and adhere to sandy soil. Halibuts live in the Atlantic, inhabiting the extreme waters of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, including the Barents, Bering, Okhotsk and Japan seas.