Summer Flounder

Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus, 1766), also called a Fluke (fish pictured here), is a member of the left-eyed flounder family Paralichthyidae. There are typically 5 to 14 ocellated (eye-like) spots on the body. Like most members of the left-eye flounders they can change the color and pattern of their dark side to match the surrounding bottom, and are also capable of rapidly burrowing into muddy or sandy bottoms. The teeth are quite sharp and well developed on both upper and lower jaws. The average Summer flounder reaches sexual maturity at 2 years and weighs 1 to 3 pounds, typically 15 to 20 inches in length. Though they may grow as large as 26 pounds and live up to 20 years with females making up the largest and oldest specimens. Adults are highly predatory and considered mostly piscivorous, (fish eating) often laying buried with only their head exposed to ambush prey which includes sand lance, menhaden, atlantic silverside, mummichog killifish, small bluefish, porgies, squid, shrimp, and crabs. but not Jr Rangers;) While primarily considered a bottom fish they are rapid swimmers over short distances and can become very aggressive feeding actively at mid depths, even chasing prey to the surface. While walking from the beach into Folgers Marsh Mookie, Caroline, and I found summer flounder, all about this size in the creek leading into the marsh.