| Starry Flounder | |
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Family: |
Pleuronectidae (Right-eyed flounders) |
Genus and Species: |
Platichthys stellatus |
Description: |
The body of the starry flounder is broad, relatively short, somewhat diamond shaped and compressed. The head is relatively short and the eyes and mouth are small, the lower jaw slightly projecting. While a member of the right-eyed flounder family; the majority of starry flounders are left-eyed. The color is dark brown on the eyed side with alternating white to orange and black bars on the dorsal and anal fins; white on the blind side. Its name comes from the rough, star-like scales on the eyed-side. |
Range: |
Starry flounders occur from Santa Barbara, California, to Arctic Alaska and the Sea of Japan. They occur over sand, mud and gravel bottoms in coastal ocean waters, bays, sloughs and even fresh water. Starry flounders are found from depths of a few inches to more than 900 feet. |
Natural History: |
Small starry flounders eat mostly worms and small crustaceans. As they grow they eat progressively more crabs, clams, sand dollars and brittle stars. Large individuals also eat some fishes, among them sardines, sanddabs and surfperch. Females grow faster and attain larger sizes than do males. Males spawn at the end of their second year when they are about 14.5 inches long, and females in their third year at approximately 16.25 inches. The spawning season extends from November through February with greatest activity in December and January. Studies in California indicate that spawning occurs in water shallower than 25 fathoms. Like other flatfishes, the young are born with an eye on each side of the head. By the time they reach about 0.5 inches in length, both eyes are on the same side and they resemble their parents in all respects. |
Fishing Information: |
Starry flounders are one of the most numerous fishes of central and northern California backwaters, particularly San Francisco Bay. Starry flounders can be taken throughout the year but are caught more frequently between December and March. They accept a variety of baits, including chunks of sardine, clams, shrimp, squid, and worms. |
Other Common Names: |
rough jacket, great flounders, grindstone, California flounder, emery flounder, sand paper flounder. |
Largest Recorded: |
3 feet; 20 pounds. |
Habitat: |
Shallow Sandy Environment |
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