Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
FBname: European flounder
Comments: Migratory fish, which is most of the year found in estuaries (Ref. 51442).  Adults occur on mud and sand bottom in shallow water, at sea and brackish; often entering freshwaters (Ref. 59043).  During winter, adults retreat to deeper, warmer waters, where they spawn in spring (Ref. 30193).  The growing larvae are moving to the coast (Ref. 51442).  Larvae and early juveniles use selective tidal transport to migrate upstream rivers (Ref. 57575) using a range of triggers such as salinity, prey density and water temperature (Ref. 57573, 57574).  Juveniles live in shallow coastal waters and estuaries (Ref. 57574), which are also the summer feeding grounds for the adults (Ref. 30193).  Juveniles of less than a year old feed on plankton and larvae of insects, juveniles of more than a year and adults feed on benthic fauna (Ref. 51442), including small fishes and invertebrates (Ref. 30193).  Nocturnal and burrowing (Ref. 30193).  Marketed fresh and frozen; can be steamed, fried, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).  Worms and mollusks are excellent baits for line fishing (Ref. 30578).