Winter Flounder By: Chloe King

General Information Common Name: Winter Flounder Scientific Name: Pseudopleuronectes americanus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii

Size Weight: 8 pounds Length: 25 inches Life Span: 15 years Females grow faster than males

Habitat/Distribution Native to costal waters of the western north Atlantic coast United States and Canada Common near shore (shallow water) Summers spent off shore in deeper waters Winters spent in shallow coastal estuaries, rivers, and bays

Evolution 395 million years ago the class evolved

Feeding Habits Larva and juveniles feed on invertebrates Adults feed on shrimp, clams, polychaete worms, fish fry, and bits of seaweed Feed during daylight hours

Breeding Habits Sexual maturity at 3 years of age Small females produce 500,000 eggs and large females produce 1,500,00 eggs per year. Reproduction occurs in estuaries from January to May Fish return for many years to the same site to spawn. Eggs clump together in masses Eggs hatch 15 to 18 days after being released.

Population 300 metric tons

Use By Humans Winter flounders are highly regarded for their delicious white meat.

Interesting Information Have eyes on the right have eyes on the right side of their bodies. They also do not have teeth. Summer flounder have their eyes on the left side of their bodies, and do have teeth. have eyes on the right side of their bodies. They also do not have teeth. Summer flounder have their eyes on the left side of their bodies, and do have teeth.