Home · Paralichthyidae · Gulf Stream flounder
Gulf Stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons) — Paralichthyidae

Gulf Stream flounder

Citharichthys arctifrons
LC · Least Concern

The Gulf Stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
46.0–366.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Gulf Stream flounder is a small, left-eyed flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae reaching about 18 cm. Both eyes lie on the left side, which is sandy-brown; the skin is thin and translucent, and the eyes are relatively large. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the deeper continental shelf of the western Atlantic off the east coast of North America, often in the warmer waters along the edge of the Gulf Stream. On the bottom it hunts small crustaceans and worms. Like all flatfish the young start symmetrical and, after metamorphosis, sink onto their side to the bottom. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gulf Stream flounder?

The Gulf Stream flounder has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Gulf Stream flounder live?

The Gulf Stream flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Gulf Stream flounder get?

The Gulf Stream flounder grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Gulf Stream flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Gulf Stream flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Gulf Stream flounder edible?

The Gulf Stream flounder is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Golfstroom-bot inferred
English name
Gulf Stream flounder verified
Scientific name
Citharichthys arctifrons
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Gulf Stream flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
46.0 verified
Max depth (m)
366.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Citharichthys

More from the family Paralichthyidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →