All About The Flounder: Flat on The Sea Bottom

Photo: FtLaudGirl via Getty Images

Welcome to the GB blog of the flounder! They're flatfish that can be found on the sea bed in many parts of the world.

They are usually a dark brown or green color and have a smooth texture.

Flounder can be eaten fresh or smoked, and they are a popular choice for seafood lovers.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the flounder! We will cover topics such as where to find them, what they eat, and more!

So if you're interested in learning more about this super-unique fish then let's get started!

Description and Appearance

Photo: SkyF via Getty Images

As touched on previously, flounders are a group of flatfish species. This means that they have a flattened body with both eyes on one side of their head.

They are bottom-dwelling fish and can be found in both shallow and deep waters.

Flounder tend to be a brown or green color, but this can vary depending on their surroundings. For example, if they are in sandy waters then they may be a lighter color so that they can camouflage themselves from predators.

When it comes to size, flounders can range anywhere from around eight inches to three feet long. They have a smooth texture and their flesh is considered quite delicate.

If you want to see a flounder with a fluffy and cuddly texture, then Gage Beasley has you covered. Their Flounder Flat Fish Soft Stuffed Plush Toy is just what you're looking for. They may look weird, but they sure are quite the underwater creature, huh? 

Gage Beasley's Flounder Flat Fish Soft Stuffed Plush Toy

Diet

The diet of a flounder depends on their size and location. Smaller flounders will consume species such as shrimp, crab, worms, and small fish.

Larger flounders, on the other hand, will eat bigger prey such as squid, octopus, and even other flounders!

Flounders are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of whatever food is available to them. They have a strong sense of smell which they use to locate food.

Flounders typically hunt at night when there is less light and their prey is more vulnerable.

Reproduction

Flounders reproduce by spawning. The female flounder will lay her eggs on the sea bed and then the male will fertilize them.

The eggs will then hatch into larvae which will spend around six weeks drifting in the ocean before settling on the seafloor and transforming into adult flounders.

These flounders can then go and live for up to 20 years in the wild!

Distribution & Habitat

These flatfish can be found in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

They are usually found in coastal waters, but can also be found in estuaries and even freshwater rivers.

Flounders are most commonly found on the sea bed, but they can occasionally be seen swimming near the surface.

As we mentioned earlier, their habitat and distribution can vary depending on their size and location.

Conservation

The conservation status of the flounder is currently ‘Least Concern’.

However, there are some sub-species of flounder which are considered to be ‘Endangered’ or ‘Critically Endangered’. These sub-species include the European flounder and the Chinese flounder.

The main threats to these fish are overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution.

Flounders are a popular choice for seafood lovers, so it is important to make sure that we do not overfish them.

We can help to conserve flounder populations by eating sustainable seafood and supporting businesses that practice responsible fishing methods.

Other Interesting Facts

• Flounder are sometimes used as baitfish because of their abundance and easy availability.
• The eyes of a flounder will migrate to the top of its head as it matures.
• Flounders are able to change their color so that they can better blend in with their surroundings.
• Flounder can swim in either direction, depending on which eye is up.
• There are over 100 different species of flounder in the world.

Final Thoughts

Flounder are a fascinating species of fish that have many unique characteristics.

They are an important part of the marine ecosystem and play a role in the food chain.

Flounder populations are currently healthy, but it is important to make sure that we do not overfish them. We can help to conserve flounder populations by eating sustainable seafood and supporting businesses that practice responsible fishing methods.

Thank you for reading!

Cheers!

~GB