Notes

Habitat:

Bottom-dweller that usually lives in deep channels and ridges; young can be found in shallow waters and on sandbars.
Feeding:

Summer flounder are bottom-feeders that eat shrimp, squid, worms, crustaceans and other fish.

Reproduction and Life Cycle:

Spawning occurs in autumn and mid-winter in coastal ocean waters. After hatching, larvae have one eye on each side of the head. The right eye gradually travels to the left side of the head to a position next to the left eye. Larvae eventually drift into the Bay in October to May. They live in the Bay’s shallow eelgrass beds, which serve as protective nursery areas. Summer flounder can live up to 20 years; females tend to live longer than males.


Other Facts:

The Maryland Chesapeake Bay record summer flounder was caught in 1978 and weighed 15 pounds.
The summer flouder is considered to be a "left-handed" flatfish because its mouth and eyes are on the left side of the body when viewed from above.
It is nearly impossible to spot a flounder that has changed colors to blend in with its surroundings.

Other Facts: -begin to spawn at 2-3 years
-most of adult life spent on the seafloor
-only go into harbors during the summer
-27 in. female lays 4,200,000
- choose eel grass as home during warmer weather
-adults eat other fish, clams, squid, and shrimp