Starry Flounder 



small fish, rarely exceeding a foot in length, but is often seen 

 in the markets. Its flesh is of delicate flavour and the fish finds 

 a ready sale. 



The genus Platichthys contains a single species, P. stellatus, 

 known as the great flounder or starry flounder. 



This species occurs on the Pacific Coast of America from 

 middle California to the Arctic Ocean; and south on the Asiatic 

 side to the mouth of the Amur River. Of the small-mouthed 

 flounders it is much the largest species known, as it reaches a 

 weight of 15 to 20 pounds. It is an excellent food-fish, and from 

 its size and abundance it is one of the most important species 

 in the region where found. It constitutes fully one-half the 

 total catch of flounders on our Pacific Coast, and it is equally 

 abundant in Bering Sea. It lives in shallow water and some- 

 times ascends the larger rivers. 



The genus Glypiocephalus has 2 species in our waters, only 

 one of which is of importance. This is the pale flounder or 

 craig fluke, G. cynoglossus, which occurs in the North Atlantic, 

 south on our coast to Cape Cod. It has been taken in great 

 numbers in rather deep water, on sandy bottom, off the New 

 England coast. Though reaching only a small size, rarely a foot 

 or 1 8 inches in length, this flounder is an excellent food-fish 



53' 



