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Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico) - southern flounder. [Paralichtys lethostigma]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5570193
Southern flounder is a estuarine dependent species and lives its entire life in or near estuaries. The southern flounder migrates out of the estuary into the Gulf of Mexico to spawn in October through February. Larvae and juveniles usually live in esturine areas, but some juveniles live in nearshore areas in the Gulf of Mexico. The species has a maximum age of 10 years. Southern flounders are caught commercially by shrimp trawlers and a few are caught by gigging. Commercial landings (1971-1981) have ranged from 1,169,800 to 28,615 lb. There are no data on sport catches of the species. Population dynamics data on the species are weak. Larval and juvenile flounders eat invertebrates. Adults eat a variety of fish and shrimp. Adult southern flounder have been caught in water with temperatures of 5/sup 0/ to 35/sup 0/C. The species has been caught in water at salinities of 0-36 ppt. Southern flounder prefer mud bottoms over other types. 28 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Research Organization:
Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State (USA). Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
OSTI ID:
5570193
Report Number(s):
NP-5901733; ON: DE85901733
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English