Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body oval, deep, flattened laterally, both eyes on left side of body (left-eyed); color brown with light mottling, a dark spot on central lateral line; two spots on tail, one forward of the other on a horizontal line; eyes far apart, distance between eyes greater than the diameter of the eye (space broader in males than females); mouth small, does not reach to vertical line through center of eye; pelvic fin on ocular side longer than and originates anteriorly to pelvic fin on blind side; lateral line on ocular side with high arch over pectoral fin. |
Similar Species |
The wide distance between the eyes combined with the 2 horizontal spots on the tail distinguishes this flounder from other left-eyed flounders. A similar species, the eyed flounder (Bothus ocellatus), which has not been found west of the Mississippi River, has darker mottling, and spots on the tail are in a vertical line, one above the other. |
Habitat |
Gulf, over soft bottoms |
Maximum Size |
25 cm (10 in), common to 18 cm (7 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 78-90; A. 59-68 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
|
Previous Scientific Names |
|
Comments |
|
State size/bag limits |
Minimum size is 14 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 2, pole and line only in November, any legal means in December.; Check for state record. |