Southern Flounder
• Most common flounder caught in N.C., especially in estuarine waters
• Non-ocellated spots on body
• Upper jaw extends to beyond rear margin of eye
• Eight to 11 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch
• Sixty-three to 74 anal fin rays
Summer Flounder
• Commonly seen around inlets/ocean, and in estuarine waters
• At least five ocellated spots on body, five prominent ocelli form the pattern from the five-side of a die.
• Upper jaw extends to rear margin of eye
• Thirteen to 18 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch
• Sixty to 73 anal fin rays
Gulf Flounder
• Occasionally seen, usually in ocean waters
• Three prominent ocellated spots form triangle on body, apex towards caudal fin (can have more than three over entire body, but three will be prominent)
• Upper jaw extends beyond rear margin of eye
• Nine to 12 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch
• Fifty-six to 63 anal fin rays
See attachment for more details.