Rounded diamond shape with rough surface along the lateral line. Colour can range from light brown to green to greyish, sometimes with dark orange spots. White underbelly in most flounder, although there can be freak fish with an underside the same colour as the back. The vast majority of flounder have eyes on the right side of their head but a minority have eyes on the left.
Distribution
Common throughout UK and Irish waters. Live in shallow water often near to an influx of fresh water, favour clear sandy or muddy ground and can travel up rivers far into freshwater territory. Distribution extends into Northern European waters and into the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Feeds On
Young flounder will eat mostly marine worms and prawns, older fish will add crustaceans and molluscs to this.
- Scientific name: Platichthys flesus
- Also known as: European Flounder, Fluke
- Size: Up to 1ft 8ins and 6lb (UK shore caught typically 1-2lbs), but see below.
- UK minimum size: 11inches (27cm) in length.
- UK shore caught record: 5lb 7oz
- IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern)
