Flatfish ID

This area is for general discussions about fishing, rigging, baits, etc.
Image

Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels

Post Reply
Angler85
Posts: 11
Joined: May 13th, 2021, 10:06 am

Flatfish ID

Post by Angler85 »

So I am usually pretty good at fish ID but this one has me kind of stumped. Caught it in a tidal creek coming out of some mangroves at Anclote Key. Thought 100% a juvenile flounder but after looking at pics I’m not so sure. No defined tail, it was a perfect tear drop shape with fins all around. Any thoughts? Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Red Beard
Posts: 644
Joined: March 16th, 2020, 9:06 pm

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by Red Beard »

It’s a baby flounder.. ain’t it cute


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Angler85
Posts: 11
Joined: May 13th, 2021, 10:06 am

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by Angler85 »

Red Beard wrote:It’s a baby flounder.. ain’t it cute


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what I was thinking just looked a little odd based on the pics I found on Google. Super cute though and by boy loved checking him out. The saltwater never disappoints with cool stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Red Beard
Posts: 644
Joined: March 16th, 2020, 9:06 pm

Flatfish ID

Post by Red Beard »

Angler85 wrote:
Red Beard wrote:It’s a baby flounder.. ain’t it cute


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what I was thinking just looked a little odd based on the pics I found on Google. Super cute though and by boy loved checking him out. The saltwater never disappoints with cool stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your right about that, everytime I go out I seem to notice something new. Had a tiger shark swim around the boat yesterday. Last week had a devil ray that was the size of a car hood slowly glide buy.

I say flounder due to the fin shapes and color on the sides. That shape is more tear drop than normal. Where was its eyes? Kind of looks like it has one on each side. Which may explain the shape, it’s not yet swimming flat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Angler85
Posts: 11
Joined: May 13th, 2021, 10:06 am

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by Angler85 »

Red Beard wrote:
Angler85 wrote:
Red Beard wrote:It’s a baby flounder.. ain’t it cute


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what I was thinking just looked a little odd based on the pics I found on Google. Super cute though and by boy loved checking him out. The saltwater never disappoints with cool stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your right about that, everytime I go out I seem to notice something new. Had a tiger shark swim around the boat yesterday. Last week had a devil ray that was the size of a car hood slowly glide buy.

I say flounder due to the fin shapes and color on the sides. That shape is more tear drop than normal. Where was its eyes? Kind of looks like it has one on each side. Which may explain the shape, it’s not yet swimming flat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He was totally swimming flat, both eyes on one side. I didn’t know he was there and kicked up up and he buried himself right away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Red Beard
Posts: 644
Joined: March 16th, 2020, 9:06 pm

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by Red Beard »

Well dang.. maybe I shouldn’t judge his shape. Could grow up to be a new record. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
bbb
Posts: 1117
Joined: May 16th, 2007, 3:31 pm
Location: Bainbridge/Tallahassee

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by bbb »

When I used to gig, we saw what I always called skates. They resemble flounder but aren’t.

They were usually a couple to three inches long. We scooped a couple up and looked at them close. They were Definitely not a flounder. When we did see a 2-3” flounder they were very detailed like the larger ones. Dark on one side and white on the other.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
STMU
Posts: 148
Joined: October 4th, 2017, 5:56 am

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by STMU »

Looks like a hogchocker. Very common species found throughout coastal Florida. 3 inches is about their max size.

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/disco ... hogchoker/
ropeman
Posts: 399
Joined: July 23rd, 2007, 1:24 am

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by ropeman »

All the pictures I find of tiny flounder have a distinct tail and fins. This one looks different.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=htt ... AdAAAAABAk
User avatar
Red Beard
Posts: 644
Joined: March 16th, 2020, 9:06 pm

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by Red Beard »

STMU wrote:Looks like a hogchocker. Very common species found throughout coastal Florida. 3 inches is about their max size.

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/disco ... hogchoker/
I think you could be right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
satsuma
Posts: 35
Joined: December 30th, 2020, 9:00 am
Location: Boston,Ga

Re: Flatfish ID

Post by satsuma »

Compare to a Toungefish
Family Cynoglossidae
Post Reply