Species learning profile

Summer flounder

Paralichthys dentatus

Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) is a saltwater fish associated with demersal habitat in Atlantic. Its large toothed mouth reveals a more predatory lifestyle than many flatfish.

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Fond marinParalichthyidae

At a glance

Eau
Eau salée
Habitat
Fond marin
Longueur maximale
94 cm
Répartition
Atlantique
Famille
Paralichthyidae
Ordre
Pleuronectiformes

Observe

How to identify Summer flounder

  • Its large toothed mouth reveals a more predatory lifestyle than many flatfish.
  • Guide context: demersal habitat in Atlantic.
  • Reported maximum length: 94 cm — up to about the length of a guitar. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with demersal habitat across Atlantic. It lives on or close to the bottom, where sediment, rock, depth, and bottom-dwelling prey matter most.

Behavior

Ambushes prey from camouflaged bottom positions

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Ecological role

An important estuarine and shelf predator.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Summer flounder peut atteindre environ 94 cm et vit souvent près de Fond marin.

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Bottom-associated fish can be affected by seafloor disturbance, bycatch, warming, and changes to benthic prey.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Summer flounder in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

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