Overview
Very resistant flatfish, lives on sandy and muddy bottoms, often near estuaries.
Identification
Eyes on the right sideCamouflaged sidesWide mouthShort pectoral finsFlattened bodyNo dorsal fin spineRough scalesContinuous vertical fins
- Body
- Flat and broad body suitable for life on the seabed.
- Colouration
- Brown or greenish coloration with light spots, whitish underside.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/barely noticeable
- Growth
- Medium, faster growth in early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Pleuronectidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Platichthys stellatusPleuronectes platessaHippoglossus hippoglossusLimanda limandaScophthalmus maximus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, estuaries, brackish
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the European coasts of the Atlantic, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Often close to river mouths, using sandy bottoms for camouflage.
Prefers habitats with rich food resources on soft substrates.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu BalticoPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- worms, crustaceans, small mollusks
- Secondary prey
- aquatic insect larvae, small fish
- Occasional prey
- algae, organic debris
- Feeding behaviour
- Bottom-feeding predator that scrapes the substrate with its mouth to find food.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large predatory fish, seabirds
Uses the snout and mouth to dig and scrape in search of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations to shallower waters for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves to deeper waters in winter, frequents shallow coastal waters in summer.
- Juveniles
- Young prefer staying closer to the shore.
- Adults
- Adults are more wary and easily hide in sandy substrates.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- March, April, May
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic and transparent eggs, small in size.
- Larval stage
- Larvae develop in plankton before becoming young flatfish.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch European flounder
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daytramonto
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, autumn and winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active and less suspicious.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays still on the bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: low
Where to catch it
Best spots
river mouthsnear the shoremuddy bottomsshallow estuarine waters
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trawlingrod with natural baitbottom longlinesnet fishing
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoBolentinoBolentino MedioBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentino LeggeroPesca A Fondo LeggeraSurfcastingSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
wormsshrimpmusselsfish pieces
Baits by pressure
Low
ArenicolaBibiGambero morto / Gambero
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoStriscia di calamaro
High
ArenicolaBibiVerme americanoVerme coreanoBeach wormBigattinoCannolicchio
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights moderately, may try to burrow for resistance.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging fins.
- Release
- Ensure it returns to the bottom slowly to prevent decompression shock.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The known Italian record for the European flounder is about 3 kg, caught in the Adriatic Sea. This species is common in the cooler Mediterranean waters where larger specimens typically reach 50 cm in length.
- In the kitchen
- Used in European cuisine, excellent grilled or pan-fried with butter.
- Cultural notes
- Often a symbol of adaptation in marine symbolism.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished in European seas for centuries, it has been an important food source for coastal communities.
