Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body oval-shaped, flattened laterally, left-eyed (eyes on left side of body); color brown with no distinct spots, may have diffused spot near base of tail fin; low arch in anterior lateral line just behind head; forehead notched and rounded; eyes far apart; mouth oblique, medium sized, not extending past posterior margin of eye. |
Similar Species |
Fringed flounder and bay whiffs have low arch in lateral line like the shoal flounder, but no notched forehead and eyes are closer together; fringed flounder has a small mouth. |
Habitat |
Gulf, usually not found in bays, prefer sandy or muddy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
20 cm (8 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 75-85; A. 59-68 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Most abundant flatfish caught offshore of Texas. |
State size/bag limits |
Minimum size is 15 in.; bag limit is 5 (includes all species), except in November and the 1st 2 weeks in December where the bag and possession limit is 0.; Check for state record. |