Summer Flounder vs Yellow Perch
Paralichthys dentatus compared with Perca flavescens
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paralichthys dentatus | Perca flavescens |
| Order | Pleuronectiformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Paralichthyidae | Percidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 94.0 cm | 50.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.0 kg | 1.9 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. | Bright golden-yellow body with 6–8 broad dark olive-green vertical saddle-bars; belly pale yellow to white; paired and anal fins are vivid orange to red; two separate dorsal fins, the first dark-spined. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 10-183m | 0-56m |
| 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 … | Native to freshwater and slightly brackish lakes and rivers of central and eastern Canada and the northern United States, including all five Great Lakes. Abundant … |
| Habitat | Neritic, demersal, estuaries | Estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 4/10 | 3/10 |
| 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.
Yellow Perch
Sweet, clean white flesh with very low fat and a delicate texture; among the most prized freshwater eating fish in the Great Lakes region. Best pan-fried or sautéed simply in butter.
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.
Yellow Perch
The yellow perch is a schooling fish found in lakes and slow rivers across North America. Its golden-yellow body with dark vertical bars is unmistakable. Its sweet, firm white flesh makes it one of the finest-tasting freshwater fish.