Red Drum vs Summer Flounder
Sciaenops ocellatus compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Red Drum | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sciaenops ocellatus | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Perciformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Sciaenidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Red Drum | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 155.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 45.0 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. | 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 | Red Drum | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 10-?m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … | 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 | Estuaries | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Red Drum | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 7/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
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
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.
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.