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Starry Flounder

Platichthys stellatus

Also known as

Rough Flounder, Emery Flounder, Gritty Flounder

IUCN status

Least Concern

About the Starry Flounder

The Starry Flounder is easily recognized by its distinctive rough, star-like scales, which give it a unique texture unlike many other smooth-skinned flatfish. Its body coloration can vary significantly, often mottled dark brown or olive with reddish-orange or white markings, providing excellent camouflage against the seafloor. Notably, this flatfish can be either left-eyed or right-eyed, with both orientations occurring in the population. The dorsal and anal fins are typically banded with dark and light stripes.

Source: FishBase & iNaturalist

Habitat

This versatile flatfish inhabits a wide range of shallow coastal environments, favoring sandy or muddy bottoms. Anglers often find them in estuaries, bays, and tidal flats, as well as nearshore coastal areas. They are known for their tolerance to varying salinities, moving between saltwater and brackish conditions.

Distribution

The Starry Flounder is widely distributed across the margins of the North Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from the coasts of Alaska, southward along the North American Pacific coast to Southern California, and across to the Asian coast, including Japan and Korea.

Behaviour

Starry Flounder are classic ambush predators, lying camouflaged on the bottom, often partially buried in sand or mud. They feed primarily on a diet of small crustaceans, marine worms, and juvenile fish, snapping them up as they pass by. While generally quite sedentary, they may undertake short movements into shallower estuarine waters for feeding or spawning during certain times of the year.

Edibility

★★★★★

Starry Flounder offers a mild, delicate flavor with firm, white, flaky flesh. It cooks up beautifully and is excellent pan-fried, baked, or grilled.

Lure suggestion

For anglers targeting Starry Flounder, bottom fishing rigs are highly effective, using bait like shrimp, clam necks, squid strips, or small pieces of cut fish. Small jigs tipped with bait or soft plastic grub tails fished slowly along the bottom can also entice a bite. Look for them in sandy or muddy areas of bays and estuaries.