PLAICE OR FLUKE 



NO sea fish is so popular or so well 

 known as this ; it is called by a vari- 

 ety of names, which are often con- 

 founded with other species. In some locali- 

 ties it is called plaice, summer flounder or 

 turbot flounder; whereas the flounder is 

 known as the flatfish, winter flounder, mud- 

 dab and nigger fish. The two can be more 

 easily distinguished by the plaice having a 

 large mouth and the flounder a very small 

 one. Next to the halibut the plaice is the 

 most important and valuable flatfish on the 

 Eastern coast, they average in size from 

 two to eight pounds, though specimens have 

 been caught up to twenty-five pounds. Like 

 others of its species, the plaice habitually 

 lie upon the bottom, where their peculiar 

 shape and color protect them from observa- 

 tion and also gives them an excellent oppor- 



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