Family: Bothidae, Lefteye Flounders view all from this family

Description To 37 1/2" (94 cm). Relatively large, robust, deep, highly compressed; eyes usually on left side, very rarely on right. Eyed side light to dark brown, with lighter mottling and numerous obscure ocelli (eyespots); 5 larger, more obvious ocelli on posterior half of body: 2 near dorsal fin base, 2 almost directly below anal fin base, 1 straddling lateral line. Blind side white. Mouth large; upper jaw reaches to or beyond posterior edge of lower eye; teeth well developed; usually 15-18 gill rakers on lower limb of outer arch. Pelvic fin bases of about equal length; usually 85-90 dorsal fin rays; usually 66-70 anal fin rays. Lateral line with usually 62-70 scales in straight part; anterior part loops upward over pectoral fin and then extends straight back along midline of body to caudal fin base.

Similar Species Southern Flounder (P. lethostigma) lacks ocelli, and has usually 9-10 gill rakers on lower limb of outer arch and 56-64 scales in straight part of lateral line. Gulf Flounder (P. albigutta) has 3 small but well-defined ocelli, 2 placed at equal distance above and below lateral line at midbody and 1 straddling lateral line anterior to caudal fin, usually 10-11 gill rakers on lower limb of outer arch, usually 75-81 dorsal fin rays, and usually 56-61 anal fin rays.

Habitat Over open, hard to soft bottoms on continental shelf; usually to depths of 120' (37 m).

Range Gulf of Maine to Sebastian Inlet, southeastern Florida.

Discussion This flatfish buries itself in sand, but is a fast swimmer in pursuit of prey. It is often called Fluke locally and is an important commercial and sport fish, especially on the northern Atlantic coast of North America.