What Is the Difference Between Fluke & Flounder?
Both are flat-sided fish and both inhabit mid-Atlantic waters. Yet fluke and flounder do not share every characteristic. A careful observer can find more than a few differences between these "doormat" fish.
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Alias
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Fluke is known as summer flounder because it is more abundant in warm weather. Flounder is sometimes called "winter flounder" to distinguish it from fluke.
Eyes
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The position of the eyes is one of the major physical differences between fluke and flounder. Fluke is called the "left eye fish" and flounder is known as the "right eye fish."
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Weight
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Between the two, fluke can reach a heftier weight. The average flounder weighs about 1.5 lbs., but larger fish may reach 5 lbs. The average fluke weights between 2 and 6 lbs. and can grow to as much as 20 lbs.
Mouth and Teeth
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Fluke have a larger mouth than flounder, whose mouth barely extends to 1 inch around. Because flounder have relatively small mouths, their teeth are barely visible, while the teeth on fluke are well-exposed.
Life Span
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The fluke can live up to 20 years. On the other hand, 14 years is the average life span of female flounder and 12 years is normal for male flounder.
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