Flounder is the name of a variety of saltwater flatfishes. Flounders live on the sandy and muddy bottoms of bays and along the shores of most seas. There are hundreds of species (kinds) of flounders. The winter flounder, or blackback, can be found from Labrador to Cape Hatteras, and is an important food fish. The summer flounder, a popular game fish, ranges from Cape Cod to Florida. It also is known as the fluke or the plaice.
The flounder has a greatly compressed body with both eyes on the same side of the head. The side of the flounder facing up takes on the color of the bottom of the sea where the fish lives. The side toward the bottom is nearly white. When the flounder first hatches, it looks like a typical fish. After it grows to be about 1/2 inch (13 millimeters) long, the body becomes flattened, and both eyes move to one side of the head. The side of the head on which the eyes appear depends on the species of flounder. Flounders have markings that blend with their surroundings. The fish can lie camouflaged on the ocean floor. This makes it easier for them to catch the shrimp and small fish that form their basic diet. The dab, halibut, and European turbot are in the flounder group. Flounders also are related to soles.
