difference between a fluke and flounder
Difference Between a Fluke and Flounder
With a vast variety of fish in the oceans, it is always a curiosity among fishermen regarding what they will catch next. Though the majority of fish are easy to recognize, fish from two distantly related flounder families may cause confusion. They are the fluke and flounder, both of which look similar at a glance. Buzzle gives you a few pointers that will help you differentiate between a fluke fish and flounder.
Did You Know?
Flatfish are born with an eye on each side of their head. However, as they grow, one eye travels or migrates towards the other side of the head, towards the other eye. Whoa! Now, that's something!
The above metamorphosis had baffled Charles Darwin too. He called the transformation as "remarkable peculiarity." However, such a transformation is known as a unique feature of flatfishes. As these types of fish lie low on their side at the bottom of the oceans, such an eye position helps them target a prey. Both flukes and flounders share this unequaled ability, but with a slight difference.
Both flukes and flounders are bottom-dwelling flatfish found in the Atlantic Ocean. They lie low on the ocean's undersurface and blend with their environment. Their camouflage helps them to take their prey by surprise and hunt it down.
Their mild taste in a delicacy is a joy for chefs as both fish are easy to cook and go along with several fish recipes. Both are easier to catch; therefore, they are a delight to people who love fishing as an activity. These distantly related species look the same with their dark colors with spots and their eyes on one side. So, how do we differentiate between the two species? Here is a chart that will mark the differences between a fluke and flounder.
Fluke Vs. Flounder
Commonly Known As
➥ Summer Flounder, Left Eye Fish
➥ Winter Flounder, Right Eye Fish
Scientific Name
➥ Paralichthys dentatus
➥ Pseudopleuronectes americanus
Habitat
➥ Western Atlantic Ocean
➥ Western North Atlantic Ocean
Lifespan
➥ Average of 20 years
➥ Average of 12-14 years
Eye Position
➥ On the left side of the body
➥ On the right side of the body
Length
➥ 15 - 20 inches
➥ 4 - 24 inches
Weight
➥ 2 - 20 pounds
➥ 1.5 - 5 pounds
Mouth and Teeth Structure
➥ Large mouth with exposed large teeth
➥ Small mouth with no teeth
Diet
➥ Carnivores: feed on shrimp, winter flounders, blue crabs, silversides, squid, blue fish, etc.
➥ Carnivores: feed on shrimp, sand worms, amphipods, and other smaller fish.
Fishing season
➥ Summer (May - September)
➥ Winter (April - May)
Taste
➥ Mild and sometimes muddy
➥ Mild, delicate, and sweet