California flounder
📖 Overview
Adults are found mostly on sandy bottoms near shore to 183 m depth. Juveniles are common beyond surf line, larvae settling in bays and estuaries . Adults feed during the day on fishes and squids, often well off the bottom. An important sport and commercial fish. They are caught with trammel nets . Marketed as fresh fillet . Adults migrate to shallower waters to spawn . Has very sharp teeth and is known to bite if handled .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for California flounder is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing . They are batch spawners that exhibit indeterminate fecundiity and undergo asynchronous ovarian development . Spawning interval is between 7 and 14 days while spawning frequency is around 12 to 13 times per year.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 183 m , usually 0 - 60 m . Subtropical; 48°N - 24°N
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"California flounder is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 207 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for California flounder has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 8.15 kg | Francisco Rivera | Del Mar, California | 01 Jul 2011 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hippoglossus californicus | Ayres | 1859 | Synonym |
| Pleuronectes maculosus | Girard | 1854 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 74 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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