Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body oval, almost football-shaped, flattened laterally; both eyes on left side of body (left-eyed); color brown sometimes with light and dark blotches but no distinct spots, white underneath (right side); high arch in anterior lateral line just behind head; forehead flat; eyes far apart; mouth oblique, large, upper jaw reaching to behind eye. |
Similar Species |
Gulf and ocellated flounders both have high arch in lateral line like the southern flounder, but both have distinct spots; southern has no distinct spots; only Gulf flounder gets near the size of the southern flounder. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, prefers sandy or muddy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
83 cm (32 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 80-95; A. 63-74 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Largest growing flounder in the Gulf of Mexico. Popular in the commercial and sport fisheries. Can tolerate freshwater. |
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. |