: Unlike many other flatfish, the blackback’s eyes are located on the right side of its head.
: Their upper side is typically dark, ranging from olive green to jet black, but they can change color to mimic the sediment of the sea floor for camouflage. blackback flounder
: True to their name "winter flounder," they migrate into shallow inshore bays and estuaries during late winter and spring to spawn, then move to deeper, cooler offshore waters during the summer and fall. : Unlike many other flatfish, the blackback’s eyes
: These bottom-dwellers feed primarily on small invertebrates such as worms, clams, mussels, and crustaceans. Conservation and Fishing The Fascinating Flounder : Unlike many other flatfish
: They thrive in near-freezing temperatures and even possess "antifreeze" proteins in their blood to survive in sub-zero conditions. Habitat and Migration
: They typically reach lengths of 12 to 18 inches and weigh 2 to 3 pounds, though specimens in deeper waters like Georges Bank can grow up to 27 inches (70 cm) and weigh nearly 8 pounds.
The , scientifically known as Pseudopleuronectes americanus and commonly called the winter flounder , is a right-eyed flatfish native to the coastal waters of the Northwest Atlantic. Biology and Appearance