Flounder

Flounder

Flounder Images
Found in florida waters thorough state
The flounder is an ocean-dwelling flatfish species that is found in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Taxonomy

There are a number of geographical and taxonomical species to which flounder belong.

Western Atlantic

Florida Gulf Flounder - Paralichthys albigutta

Southern flounder - Paralichthys lethostigma

Summer flounder (also known as fluke) - Paralichthys dentatus

Winter flounder - Pseudopleuronectes americanus

European waters

European flounder - Platichthys flesus

Off the coast of Japan

Eye migration

Olive flounder - Paralichthys olivaceus

In its life cycle, an adult flounder has two eyes situated on one side of its head, where at hatching one eye is located on each side of its brain. One eye migrates to the other side of the body as a process of metamorphosis as it grows from larval to juvenile stage. As an adult, a flounder changes its habits and camouflages itself by lying on the bottom of the ocean floor as protection against predators.As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up. The side to which the eyes migrate is dependent on the species type.

Habitat

Flounder ambush their prey, feeding at soft muddy areas of the sea bottom, near bridge piles, docks and coral reefs, and have been also found at the bottom of the Mariana trench, the deepest known ocean canyon. Swiss scientist Jacques Piccard and US Navy Lt. Don Walsh reached a depth of 10,916 meters (35,814 ft) and were surprised to discover sole or flounder about 30 cm long.
A flounder's diet consists mainly of fish spawn, crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish Flounder typically grow to a length of 12.5–37.5 centimeters (4.9–14.8 in), and as large as 60 centimeters (24 in). Their width is about half their length.

Threats

World stocks of large predatory fish and large ground fish such as sole and flounder were estimated in 2003 to be only about 10% of pre-industrial levels, largely due to overfishing. Most overfishing is due to the extensive activities of the fishing industry. Current estimates suggest that approximately 30 million flounder (excluding sole) are alive in the world today. In the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast of Texas, research indicates the flounder population could be as low as 15 million due to heavy overfishing and industrial pollution.
According to Seafood Watch, Atlantic flounder and sole are currently on the list of seafood that sustainability-minded consumers should avoid.
How to clean a flounder

Making the Gill Cut

Begin by making a cut behind the gills

Cut across the fish through the skin just behind the gills. This cut should go down to the bones, but not through them. We never cut through any bone when cleaning a flounder.

Making the 'T' Cut

Find the lateral line that runs down the middle of the side of the fish from the gills to the tail. This line roughly marks the backbone of the fish. Make a cut from the center of the gill cut down the side of the fish to the tail.

Filleting Side

Using the tip of the knife, begin by inserting it along the backbone and under the flesh. The knife tip needs to be very sharp. Use long strokes that run from the gill to the tail along the bones. This will begin removing one side of the fillet. Use your thumb to lift the filet from the backbones as you continue making long knife strokes.

Finishing Side 1 of the Fillet

Continue the long knife strokes as you lift the fillet from the fish. These stokes will separate the fillet from the back bone, all the way to the dorsal fin of the flounder.

Side 2 of the Fillet

Once the top piece is separated from the back bone, make the same stroking cuts to the bottom half. This will free two pieces of fillet from the backbone of the flounder. Remember to leave the two pieces attached to the fish near the tail.

Skinning the Flounder Fillets

With the two halves of the fillets still attached to the tail of the flounder, we can begin removing the skin. Lay one filet to the back of the fish with the meat up and the skin down. Allow the skin that is still attached to the fish body to help you with this operation. Place your fingers on the small end of the fillet where it is attached to the fish. Lay you knife flat and begin a cut into the flesh and down to the skin. This is delicate and takes a little practice. Use a slight sawing motion as you push the knife away from you and under the flesh. Done properly, the fillet will be removed from the fish leaving nothing but skin.

Finish Skinning Your Flounder Fillet

Finish the second fillet as you did the first. Use the fish to help you hold the skin and let your knife slip between the skin and flesh. Fish skin is tougher than flesh, so as long as you knife remains relatively flat, you should be able to master skinning in short order.

Filleting the Flounder's Backside

Once you finish the dark side, turn the fish over and repeat all the steps. The fillets on the white side of the fish are much thinner than those on the dark side. Smaller flounder are difficult to handle when filleting the white side. Some anglers fillet the white side first. They feel that filleting the dark side first removes some structure that makes the white side harder to fillet. I understand their thoughts. I think I do the dark side first out of habit more than anything. Try both methods and see which one works for you.

Done.

Distribution: Various species inhabit NSW waters including the large-toothed and small-toothed Flounder that are found throughout as well as long-snouted and greenback flounder, found in southern NSW. They are commonly found in bays and estuaries on sandy or silty bottoms.
Size: These fish range in total length about from 34cm to approx. 55cm.
Characteristics: These fish are laterally flattened bottom dwellers with both eyes on one side. They have distinct colouration such as spots, irregular blotches and rings on one side of their body with the other being pale.
Confusing species: Flounder are often misidentified as sole.

Flounder are carnivorous and highly predatory animals. The flounder hides on the sand on the sea floor waiting for potential prey, which the flounder ambushes once it has been spotted. Flounder prey on a variety of bottom-dwelling marine species including small fish, shrimp and crabs. Due to the secretive nature and good camouflage of the flounder, it rarely spotted by predators. Large fish, sharks, eels, humans, and marine mammals all prey on the flounder when it can be spotted.

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