Species profile
Yellowtail Flounder
Myzopsetta ferruginea
At a glance
Yellowtail Flounder (Myzopsetta ferruginea) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 13.0 in (≈ 1 ft 1 in).
Confirmed by 4 research-grade iNaturalist observations across the species' range.
Notable details
- Both eyes are on the right side of the body in adults.
- Named for the yellowish tinge along its tail and fin edges.
- Juveniles hatch with eyes on both sides; one eye migrates as they develop.
- Found on sandy and muddy bottoms across the Northwest Atlantic.
- An important commercial species targeted by trawlers from New England to Atlantic Canada.
Where Yellowtail Flounder are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Yellowtail Flounder
Background
Adults inhabit sandy to muddy bottoms (Ref. 7251). Prefer depths of 37 to 82 m at temperatures of 3-5°C (Ref. 6263). Feed mainly on polychaete worms and amphipods, shrimps, isopods and other crustaceans and occasionally small fish such as sand lance and capelin (Ref. 12232). Batch spawner (Ref. 51846). Marketed fresh or frozen; eaten steamed, fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Yellowtail Flounder article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.