Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (North Atlantic): Winter flounder
Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and aquatic invertebrates. They are designed to assist with environmental impact assessments. From 1935 to 1980, the annual commercial landings of winter flounder in New England ranged from 6000 to 15000 t; the sport catch exceeded the commercial catch in some years. Winter flounder are found in waters with temperatures of 0 to 25 /degree/C and they usually spawn at 0 to 3 /degree/C. Reported fecundities are 0.5 to 1.5 million eggs per female. Metamorphosis from larva to juvenile is complete in 49-80 days, depending on temperature. Juveniles remain in or near shallow natal waters for much of their first 2 years. Adults of some populations move more than 3 miles offshore to cooler waters in summer. These adults live in shallow inshore waters in winter and early spring. Adult winter flounder feed largely on annelids, cnidariids, and mollusks. 58 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC (USA); Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (USA). Coastal Ecology Group; Massachusetts Univ., Amherst (USA). Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife Management
- OSTI ID:
- 6469627
- Report Number(s):
- TR-EL-82-4/82(11.87); ON: TI89008103
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). Black drum. [Pogonias cromis]
Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Northwest): Lingcod