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.
