Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body oval shaped, flattened laterally, left-eyed (eyes on left side of body); color brown, no distinct markings, lighter underneath; low arch in anterior lateral line just behind head; forehead flat, not notched; eyes close together; mouth oblique, nearly vertical, very small, not extending below lower eye edge. |
Similar Species |
Shoal flounder and bay whiffs have the low arch in lateral line like the fringed flounder, but neither have small mouths; shoal flounder's eyes are farther apart and has notch on forehead; fringed flounder has an angular jaw. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, prefers sandy or muddy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
20 cm (8 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 75-85; A. 58-68 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Most distinguishing feature is the small mouth. |
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. |