# Flounder (*Paralichthys dentatus*) Flounder is a flat fish that likes to hide on the ocean floor. They can change their color to blend in with their surroundings! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Ocean floor - **Also known as:** Flatfish ![Flounder](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426435/objects/4702.jpg) ## Appearance The Flounder has a uniquely flattened, oval-shaped body, with both eyes positioned on one side of its head. Its skin is mottled brown, gray, or olive, allowing it to perfectly blend into sandy or muddy seafloors, making it almost invisible. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Pleuronectiformes - **Family:** Pleuronectidae - **Genus:** Paralichthys ## Interesting facts - A flounder's mouth also twists to one side, matching where its eyes are! - Flounder start life swimming upright, just like other fish! - Some types of flounder can even live in both ocean and river waters! - They eat tiny crabs and worms, gulping them from the sandy bottom! ## Special abilities - **Chameleon Camouflage:** Flounder can change its skin color and pattern in seconds because of special cells, allowing it to disappear into the seafloor. - **Migrating Eyes:** Flounder has eyes that move from opposite sides to one side of its head during development, that helps them see above while lying flat. - **Sand Dive:** Flounder can quickly bury itself partially in sand or mud using rapid fin movements, that helps them hide from predators and ambush prey. - **Flat Body Design:** Flounder has an incredibly flat body shape, that helps them stay close to the seabed and avoid strong currents. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-50 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 200 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding They are bottom-dwelling hunters, munching on small animals found on the seabed. - **Primary Foods:** crabs, shrimp, marine worms, small fish - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Harbor Seal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harbor-seal) (*Phoca vitulina*) — Seals hunt flounders hiding on the seafloor. - **Eaten by:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — Larger fish like cod prey on flounders. - **Eats:** Common Shrimp (*Crangon crangon*) — Flounders ambush and eat small crustaceans. - **Eats:** Ragworm (*Nereis diversicolor*) — Many flounder species feed on marine worms. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Flounder? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Flounder? 20-50 cm ### How much does Flounder weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Flounder live? 3-15 years ### What does Flounder eat? They are bottom-dwelling hunters, munching on small animals found on the seabed. ### How fast can Flounder swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Flounder usually found? Ocean floor ### How does Flounder hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Brunswick Old Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brunswick-old-town-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Camp Evans](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-evans) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Fort Monroe National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-monroe-national-monument) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-aquarium-and-exhibition-center) — New York, US · Aquarium - [Allaire Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allaire-village) — New Jersey, US · Museum - [Bay Head Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bay-head-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District [View all places to see Flounder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/flounder) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Flounder: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flounder)