Teleostei (teleosts) >
Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes) >
Paralichthyidae (Large-tooth flounders)
Etymology: Paralichthys: Greek, para = the side of + Greek, ichthys = fish + Greek, suffix, oides = similar to (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Jordan & Gilbert.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 43 m (Ref. 89891). Subtropical; 37°N - 9°N, 98°W - 59°W
Western Atlantic: Virginia to Texas in USA, northern Mexico, south to Trinidad and Tobago.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - 35 cm
Max length : 83.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); common length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3275); max. published weight: 9.3 kg (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 8 years (Ref. 46275)
A cryptic species that tolerates low salinities; occurs frequently in brackish bays and estuaries, even on occasion in fresh water (Ref. 9988). Minimum depth is at 0.7 meters (Ref. 128969). Adults are found mostly over mud bottoms in estuaries and coastal waters to about 40 m depth. Taken by anglers inshore from bridges, jetties and small boats. They move to deeper water in winter, but are still easily accessible (Ref. 9988). Adults feed chiefly on fishes, also on crabs and shrimps. Juveniles take mainly small bottom-living invertebrates. Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 23.2 - 24.9, mean 23.9 °C (based on 168 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00575 (0.00368 - 0.00900), b=3.19 (3.06 - 3.32), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.48 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21-0.23; tmax=8).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 59.8 [28.1, 127.9] mg/100g; Iron = 0.832 [0.414, 1.467] mg/100g; Protein = 16.8 [14.4, 20.0] %; Omega3 = 0.177 [0.092, 0.329] g/100g; Selenium = 27.5 [13.9, 60.6] μg/100g; VitaminA = 5.32 [1.60, 17.66] μg/100g; Zinc = 0.618 [0.423, 0.918] mg/100g (wet weight);
