Windowpane flounder

Windowpane Flounder

The Windowpane Flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus), also known as the sand flounder, is a flatfish species native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It is named for its thin, translucent body, which resembles a windowpane.

Description

The Windowpane Flounder is a right-eyed flatfish, meaning its eyes are located on the right side of its body when viewed from above. It has a thin, oval-shaped body that is nearly symmetrical. The color of the Windowpane Flounder can vary from a light gray to a dark brown, depending on its habitat.

Distribution and Habitat

The Windowpane Flounder is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Gulf of Maine to Florida in the United States, and south to the Gulf of Mexico. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters, but can also be found in deeper waters.

Diet

The diet of the Windowpane Flounder primarily consists of small fish, crustaceans, and worms. It is a bottom feeder, using its mouth to sift through the sand or mud to find food.

Reproduction

The Windowpane Flounder is a broadcast spawner, releasing eggs and sperm into the water where fertilization occurs. The eggs then float to the surface where they develop into larvae. After a period of growth, the larvae settle to the bottom and transform into juvenile flounders.

Commercial Importance

The Windowpane Flounder is commercially fished, particularly in the northeastern United States. It is often sold as a whole fish or filleted. The meat is white, delicate, and mild in flavor.

Conservation Status

The Windowpane Flounder is currently listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, overfishing and habitat degradation are potential threats to its population.

See Also

• Flatfish
• Western Atlantic Ocean
• International Union for Conservation of Nature

References

• Scophthalmus aquosus (Windowpane Flounder). FishBase. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Scophthalmus-aquosus.html
• Windowpane Flounder. NOAA Fisheries. Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/windowpane-flounder