Barramundi vs Summer Flounder
Lates calcarifer compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Barramundi | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lates calcarifer | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Perciformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Latidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Barramundi | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 200.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 60.0 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Silver-grey to greenish-bronze flanks with a golden sheen under light; juveniles show a faint pale lateral stripe; operculum has a prominent dark margin and a small spine; fins clear to grayish. | 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 | Barramundi | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 10-40m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | Indo-West Pacific from the Persian Gulf and Indian subcontinent east to China, Japan, and Australia. Catadromous; spawns in coastal marine waters and juveniles ascend rivers … | 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, coral reefs, estuaries | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Barramundi | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Barramundi
Buttery, sweet flesh with large flakes, medium fat, and a clean finish. Revered across Asian and Australian cuisines; superb pan-fried, steamed with ginger, or baked whole.
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
Barramundi
The barramundi is a large, catadromous predator native to the Indo-West Pacific. It is a protandrous hermaphrodite, beginning life as male and transitioning to female after several years. Highly prized in both sport fishing and aquaculture.
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.