Good Fish Guide
Flounder
(Platichthys flesus)
Overview
A widespread European fish found in both fresh and marine water. Flounder is a coastal species that divides its life cycle between brackish and freshwater habitats. It moves offshore into deeper water of higher salinity in winter where it spawns in the spring. Spawning takes place at depths of 20-50 m in the southern North Sea from February to May. Males become sexually mature when 2-3 years old (20-25 cm) and females when 3-4 years old (25-30 cm), but in the northern part of the range this may occur some 1-2 years later. After spawning they migrate to inshore and sometimes brackish waters. The shallow coastal zone, and in particular the Wadden Sea, are important nursery areas. Like plaice, they spend most of the day buried in the sand, but become very active at night and move into shallower water to feed. Flounder attains a length of 50-60 cm and can live up to 15 years. The species feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and fish in some areas.
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