Paralichthys squamilentus

Fourspot Flounder
Paralichthys oblongus

Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus

Fourspot Flounder Paralichthys oblongus. Lateral line distinctly arched above pectoral fin on ocular side and prolonged below inferior eye. Pelvic fins symmetrically or nearly symmetrically placed on either side of midventral line (base of neither pelvic fin on midventral line). Urinary papilla on ocular side. Branched caudal-fin rays 13. Pelvic-fin rays of ocular side not longer than rays of blind side. Anterior rays of dorsal fin not prolonged. Four large dark ocelli on ocular side of body, arranged in a trapezoid with 2 in midbody (one above the other on opposite sides of the lateral line) and 2 on the body (one above the other on opposite sides of the lateral line) at a point slightly anterior to caudal peduncle. Eyes relatively large and close set, nearly meeting, separated only by a narrow ridge. Lower-limb gill rakers 7-11. Lateral-line scales 63-95. Dorsal-fin rays 71-86. Anal-fin rays 58-72.

Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus. Lateral line distinctly arched above pectoral fin on ocular side and prolonged below inferior eye. Pelvic fins symmetrically or nearly symmetrically placed on either side of midventral line (base of neither pelvic fin on midventral line). Urinary papilla on ocular side. Branched caudal-fin rays 13. Pelvic-fin rays of ocular side not longer than rays of blind side. Anterior rays of dorsal fin not prolonged. Many ocelli on ocular side, but with 5 prominent ocellated dark spots on posterior half of body. Eyes separated by a flat space without a ridge. Gill rakers on lower limb of first arch 14 or more (rarely 13). Lateral-line scales 91-106. Dorsal-fin rays 80-96. Anal-fin rays 61-73. Vertebrae 11 precaudal and 30 or 31 caudal.

Gulf Flounder
Paralichthys albiguttata

Southern Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma

Gulf Flounder Paralichthys albigutta. Lateral line distinctly arched above pectoral fin on ocular side and prolonged below inferior eye. Pelvic fins symmetrically or nearly symmetrically placed on either side of midventral line (base of neither pelvic fin on midventral line). Urinary papilla on ocular side. Branched caudal-fin rays 13. Pelvic-fin rays of ocular side not longer than rays of blind side. Anterior rays of dorsal fin not prolonged. Three prominent ocellated dark spots on body arranged in a triangle with 2 (one above the other) in midbody and 1 on the lateral line in posterior part of body. Eyes separated by a flat space without a ridge. Gill rakers on lower limb of first arch 9-12. Dorsal-fin rays 71-85. Anal fin rays 53-63. Lateral-line scales 78-81. Vertebrae 10 precaudal and 27 caudal.

Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma. Lateral line distinctly arched above pectoral fin on ocular side and prolonged below inferior eye. Pelvic fins symmetrically or nearly symmetrically placed on either side of midventral line (base of neither pelvic fin on midventral line). Urinary papilla on ocular side. Branched caudal-fin rays 13. Pelvic-fin rays of ocular side not longer than rays of blind side. Anterior rays of dorsal fin not prolonged. No prominent ocelli on ocular side. Lower-limb gill rakers on first arch 7-18. Dorsal-fin rays 71-104. Body depth 47% or less standard length (mean 44% standard length). Lateral-line scales 78-100. Blind side immaculate or dusky.