Species profile
Starry Flounder
Platichthys stellatus
Identify Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 1,057 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Washington, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can reach 36 inches long and exceed 20 pounds in weight.
- Uniquely among flounders, roughly half of all individuals are left-eyed and half are right-eyed.
- Bold orange, black, and white fin bands make them instantly recognizable underwater.
- Juveniles hatch with eyes on both sides; one eye migrates within weeks.
- Range spans from California to Alaska and west across the Pacific to Japan.
Where Starry Flounder are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Starry Flounder
Background
The starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is a common flatfish found around the margins of the North Pacific.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Starry Flounder article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Starry Flounder?
Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Starry Flounder?
Starry Flounder is Platichthys stellatus.
Is Starry Flounder regulated for fishing?
Yes — Starry Flounder has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Starry Flounder?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Starry Flounder along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.