Summer Flounder vs Tarpon
Paralichthys dentatus compared with Megalops atlanticus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Tarpon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paralichthys dentatus | Megalops atlanticus |
| Order | Pleuronectiformes | Elopiformes |
| Family | Paralichthyidae | Megalopidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Tarpon |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 94.0 cm | 250.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.0 kg | 161.0 kg |
| Color | 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. | Brilliant chrome-silver flanks with large, plate-like reflective scales producing a mirror-like sheen; back is dark blue-green; fins clear to dusky with elongated dorsal ray. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Tarpon |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 10-183m | 0-40m |
| Geographic Range | 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 … | Western and eastern Atlantic from Virginia south through the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and along the South American coast to Brazil; also West Africa. … |
| Habitat | Neritic, demersal, estuaries | Coral reefs, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Tarpon |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 4/10 | 10/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
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.
Tarpon
Bony flesh with a strong, somewhat coarse texture; rarely eaten in modern sport fishing. Primarily catch-and-release; not commonly consumed due to bones and Vulnerable status.
Species Overview
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.
Tarpon
The tarpon is often called the 'Silver King' for its large mirror-like scales and acrobatic leaps. This ancient species has existed for over 100 million years and can breathe air using a modified swim bladder.