Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The starry flounder can turn up in coastal rivers as well as the sea along the U.S. West Coast. Bold dark bars across its long fins make it one of the easier flatfish to recognize.

Appearance

Appearance: The body is flat and diamond shaped. The long fins above and below it carry alternating black and pale yellow, white, or orange bars.

Look-alikes

English soleParophrys vetulus

Check the long fins: starry flounder has bold dark bars alternating with pale bars. English sole lacks that bold barred pattern.

Why they get mixed upBoth are flat brown fish on the Pacific coast.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Sandy and muddy coastal bottoms
Range: It lives along the Pacific coast from Alaska to southern California. In Oregon it also occurs in the lower Columbia and Willamette rivers.
Preferred conditions: Young fish often use estuaries, while adults also live farther offshore.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year
Breeding Nov–Feb
222 observations in the US · 10 years · for reference

Behavior

Diet: On the U.S. Pacific coast it eats bottom animals such as worms, crabs, and clams; larger fish may also take small fishes.

Life cycle

Breeding season: has been reported from November through February off California, February through April in Puget Sound, and May through June in the Bering Sea.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: It is caught commercially and by recreational anglers on the Pacific coast.

14 sources