European flounder

European flounder
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pleuronectiformes
Family:	Pleuronectidae
Genus:	Platichthys
Species:	P. flesus
Binomial name
Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The European flounder (Platichthys flesus) is a flatfish of European coastal waters from the White Sea in North to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in South. Introduced into the USA and Canada accidentally through transport in ballast water. Asia: Iran. It is a well-known food fish.

Description

The European flounder is oval in shape and is usually right-eyed. It usually grows to 25-30 cm in length, although lengths up to 50 cm have been recorded.

The upper surface is usually dull brown in colour with reddish-brown blotches and the underside is white. This fish can change colour to suit its background, providing an effective camouflage.

The lateral line features rows of small tubercles, as do the bases of the dorsal and anal fins.

Habitat

The European flounder is usually found on muddy seabeds from the low shore to depths exceeding 50 m. It feeds on invertebrates, especially crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The European flounder can also be found in estuaries.

External links

• European flounder at marLIN
• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Platichthys flesus". FishBase. October 2008 version.