Atlantic Salmon vs Summer Flounder
Salmo salar compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Salmo salar | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Salmoniformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Salmonidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 150.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 46.8 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Silvery flanks with a blue-green back; sea-run fish are nearly spotless with a few scattered X-shaped dark spots above the lateral line and pinkish-red tones at spawning. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-210m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | North Atlantic Ocean from northeastern North America to western Europe, including rivers of Canada, Norway, Iceland, and the British Isles. Anadromous populations spawn in cold, … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | Neritic | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Atlantic Salmon | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Atlantic Salmon
Rich, buttery flesh with high omega-3 fat content and a distinctly full flavor. Versatile in the kitchen — superb grilled, poached, smoked, or served raw as sashimi.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
Species Overview
Atlantic Salmon
The Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species that migrates from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Renowned among fly fishers, it is also one of the most important farmed fish species globally.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.