Species Profiles. Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic). SUMMER FLOUNDER,

Species profiles are literature summaries on the taxonomy, morphology, distribution, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic invertebrates and fishes. They are designed to assist with assist with environmental impact assessment. The summer flounder, Paralichthyes dentatus, is an important commercial and recreational fish along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Adult summer flounder are migratory and prey on other fishes and invertebrates. They spawn in offshore shelf waters during late fall, winter, and early spring, and larvae move to inshore nursery areas during late winter and spring. Juveniles are found in a variety of habitats where salinities generally exceed 10 ppt, and the young may remain in estuarine nursery areas for as long as 20 months before participating in seasonal offshore migrations. Adults may live 10 years and generally are found in nearshore areas during late spring, summer, and early fall. The influences of temperature, salinity, and substrate on summer flounder are not well documented. Juveniles grow fastest at salinities above 10 ppt and they appear to prefer sandy substrates rather than mud or silt bottoms. They species may undergo diel moments to areas having submerged vegetation during daylight.