Summer Flounder vs Zander
Paralichthys dentatus compared with Sander lucioperca
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Zander |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paralichthys dentatus | Sander lucioperca |
| Order | Pleuronectiformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Paralichthyidae | Percidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Zander |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 94.0 cm | 130.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.0 kg | 20.0 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. | Greenish-gray to olive body with 8–10 dark olive-brown vertical bars or saddle blotches; flanks finely mottled; belly whitish; first dorsal fin with dark-spotted rays; large glassy eyes adapted for low light. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Zander |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 10-183m | 2-30m |
| 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 river systems and large lakes of northern and central Europe and western Asia, including the Volga, Danube, Rhine, and Baltic Sea drainages. Tolerates … |
| Habitat | Neritic, demersal, estuaries | Estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Summer Flounder | Zander |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| 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.
Zander
Lean, firm white flesh with a delicate, mild flavor and nearly no fat; boneless fillets are easy to work with. The most prized freshwater eating fish in Central and Eastern Europe.
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.
Zander
The zander is the European equivalent of the walleye and one of the most prized freshwater predators in Europe. Its excellent low-light vision makes it a crepuscular hunter. Its delicate white flesh is considered among the finest of freshwater fish.