Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Pleuronectiformes

Family: Pleuronectidae

Scientific name: Platichthys flesus

 

Norwegian: skrubbe

(Nordre Raudøya - Trøndelag / 26 meters / 5.08.2005)

Distribution: The flounder, or fluke, is often found on rocky bottoms, from just below the tidal zone and down to 100 meters. It is common along the entire coast of Norway. It tolerates a wide range of salinity.

Characteristics: This, oval shaped, right eyed flounder, may be confused the dab which is more common on sandy or muddy substrate. In contrast to the dab, the flounder has a bony prickles along the lateral line which is not as curved as the lateral line of the dab. The mouth is small, but the head is relatively large, approximately on fourth of the body length. The flounder comes in a wide range of grey or brown shades, often with dark blotches above. Below it is white. It can reach a body weight of 2.5 kg and a length of 0.5 meters.

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