(1910) records a specimen taken at Newport. Bigelow and Schroeder 

 (1953 b) mention this species is rare in southern New England waters. 



Family Hippoglossidae 



Genus Hippoglossus 



(81) Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linnaeus) 1758 

 Halibut 



Specimens: 



This northern water food fish is an uncommon stray into Rhode 

 Island waters during winter and spring. A few are taken each year 

 by trawlers off Block Island. This species is the largest of the flat 

 fish family. Tracy (1910) mentions an 80 pound halibut taken off 

 Watch Hill on May 1, 1876. On April 16, 1900, a 100 pound halibut 

 was brought into Newport. During 1956, 99 pounds of halibut 

 valued at $27 were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Genus Hippoglossoides 



(82) Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricius) 1780 

 Dab, rough dab, American dab, Canadian plaice 



Specimens: 



This species is common in North America deep water to southern 

 New England. It approaches Newport and Block Island in winter 

 months and is taken over sandy and mud bottoms by trawlers. 



Economic Importance: 



The dab is an excellent food fish. During 1956, 53,995 pounds of 

 dab valued at $5,453 were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Family Paralichthyidae 

 Genus Paralichthys 



(83) Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus) 1766 



Summer flounder, fluke, doormat, chicken halibut 



Specimens: (PLATE 27) 



The summer flounder is the largest member of the flounder 

 family common in Rhode Island waters. During the warmer months 

 of the year between May and October, this species is taken in com- 



37 



