Yellowtail flounder

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Yellowtail flounder
Limanda ferruginea (NOAA) no watermark.png
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Pleuronectiformes
Family: Pleuronectidae
Genus: Limanda
Species:
L. ferruginea
Binomial name
Limanda ferruginea
(Storer, 1839)
Limanda ferruginea range.jpg
  Range
Synonyms
  • Platessa ferrugineaStorer, 1839
  • Pleuronectes ferruginea(Storer, 1839)
  • Pleuronectes ferrugineus(Storer, 1839)
  • Limanda vulgaris Gottsche, 1835
  • Limanda oceanica Bonaparte, 1846

The yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), also known as the rusty dab, is a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae (righteye flounders). Reaching 56 cm (22 in) in length, it has reddish brown upperparts, pale underparts and yellow fins. Both its eyes are on the right (upper) side of its body. Found in the western North Atlantic, it has been fished commercially by North American fisheries for food. A victim of overfishing, the yellowtail flounder is categorized as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Contents

Taxonomy

The yellowtail flounder was originally described by German naturalist Carl Moritz Gottsche as Limanda vulgaris in the Archiv für Naturgeschichte in 1835. [2] [3] It was later documented as Platessa ferruginea by David Humphreys Storer in 1839, who noted the similarity between it and Limanda limanda (then considered to be in the genus Pleuronectes ). He gave the species the common name of "rusty dab". [4] Later, both P. limanda and P. ferruginea were reclassified into the genus Limanda . [2] [5] Meanwhile, American zoologist Theodore Gill had placed it in the new genus Myzopsetta in 1861. [6]

According to 1996 research from the University of Ottawa, L. ferruginea shares several morphologies with Limanda aspera , but that the monophyly of the genus Limanda as a whole is unlikely. [7] A 2018 cladistic morphological and genetic analysis found that the genus Limanda is not monophyletic; L. ferruginea and its relatives the longhead dab (L. proboscidea) and speckled flounder (L. punctatissima) are in a different subfamily to the other members of the genus and should be (once again) placed in the genus Myzopsetta. [8]

Description

The yellowtail flounder is a wide flatfish with an ovoid body, about half as broad as it is long. [9] The name "yellowtail" comes from the distinctly yellowish color of its fins (including tail fin); the fish's upper side is reddish brown with irregular "rusty" spots, while the underside is white with a yellow caudal peduncle (area between body and tail). Being a right-eyed flounder (of the family Pleuronectidae), both its eyes are on the right side of the fish's body, though the eyes are symmetrical just after hatching. [10] [11] It is thinner than other flatfish. [12]

The fish's head is approximately a quarter as long as the total body and is scaly. The eye's diameter is approximately one fifth the length of the head. The yellowtail flounder has a prominent lower jaw with broad lips, about as long as the eye. The scales are ciliated (having hair-like protrusions) and appear on the head as well. The teeth are small. [13] Its dorsal fin, comprising about 80 rays, begins over the eye and has longer rays near the middle. The anal fin has a similar outline, but is only composed of about 60 rays. Relative to other flounders in the Gulf of Maine, the yellowtail flounder has a narrower and more concave head, with a pointier snout. [9]

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), yellowtail flounders can grow to a length of 56 centimetres (22 in), weighing up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). [10] [11] Specimens up to 8.1 kg (18 lb) have been caught before. [14]

Distribution and habitat

The yellowtail flounder is found in the western North Atlantic Ocean, off the east coast of North America. [15] [10] Specimens have been found as far north as Newfoundland and southern Labrador and as far south as Chesapeake Bay. It is common on the Scotian Shelf, on ocean banks such as the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Georges Bank. [16]

Three fish stocks exist in US waters: in the Gulf of Maine area, on Georges Bank, and off southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic. [10] In Canada, yellowtail are concentrated in NAFO divisions 4X (Browns Bank, near Georges Bank, at 42°49′37″N66°13′02″W / 42.826895°N 66.217355°W / 42.826895; -66.217355 ), 4W (Sable Island Bank, 43°49′50″N60°50′12″W / 43.83067°N 60.836686°W / 43.83067; -60.836686 ), and 4V (Banquereau, 44°32′08″N58°35′02″W / 44.535498°N 58.583968°W / 44.535498; -58.583968 ). [16] [17]

The larvae of L. ferruginea remain near the surface for two months, but after maturing to a length of at least 14 mm (0.55 in), they dwell on sandy or muddy seafloors at a depth between 30 and 100 metres (98 and 328 ft). [10] [12] As they live considerably deeper than other species of flounder, they are rarely seen along shores. [9]

Ecology

Yellowtail flounders have been reported to live up to seventeen years, but most die by age seven. They mature relatively early with females being able to reproduce by age three, spawning in the spring and summer. The eggs (measuring approximately 0.9 mm (0.035 in) in diameter) float to the surface and drift for approximately two months. [10] [12] The early larval stages closely resemble that of the winter flounder, though the appearance of the fin rays differentiates them. [9]

They eat crustaceans (including amphipods, shrimps, mysids, and shellfish) as well as marine worms, and are preyed on by other fish such as spiny dogfish and skate. [10] [12] Yellowtail flounders are able to camouflage, changing the pattern of their skin to mimic the seafloor. [14]

Fishing and conservation

Yellowtail flounders have been commonly fished in Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay since the 1800s, after beam and otter trawls were introduced to fisheries in the area. In 1908, a total of 1,400,000 kilograms (3,000,000 lb) of yellowtail and winter flounder was caught near Cape Cod, an estimated half of which was yellowtail. [9]

In the US, fishing of yellowtail flounder is governed by the NMFS. [10] More than 526,000 kilograms (1,160,000 lb) of yellowtail flounder was commercially caught in American waters in 2020 (the vast majority in Massachusetts), valued at over $1 million. [18] In federal waters, there is a minimum allowed size of 330 mm (13 in). [14]

Populations of fishable yellowtail flounder have declined from the 1980s into the late 1990s in Canada, especially in divisions 4V and 4W, after which the rate of fishery declined. [16] L. ferruginea is currently categorized as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. [1] According to the University of Maine, yellowtail flounder are being overfished, as well as several other species of flounder. [19] According to NMFS, the fishing rate is being reduced at Georges Bank and there are rebuilding plans to increase populations of all three stocks. [10]

Yellowtail flounders are fished between late fall and spring, usually with a trawl net or gillnet. [10] [19] Hooks are ineffective as their mouths are small. [9]

As food

Yellowtail flounder is sweet and mild, while being a lean source of B vitamins, including niacin. The texture is delicate and flaky. [11] [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

Flatfish Order of fishes

A flatfish is a member of the ray-finned demersal fish order Pleuronectiformes, also called the Heterosomata, sometimes classified as a suborder of Perciformes. In many species, both eyes lie on one side of the head, one or the other migrating through or around the head during development. Some species face their left sides upward, some face their right sides upward, and others face either side upward.

Halibut Large edible flatfishes

Halibut is the common name for three flatfish in the genera Hippoglossus and Reinhardtius from the family of right-eye flounders and, in some regions, and less commonly, other species of large flatfish.

Pleuronectidae Family of fishes

Pleuronectidae, also known as righteye flounders, are a family of flounders. They are called "righteye flounders" because most species lie on the sea bottom on their left sides, with both eyes on their right sides. The Paralichthyidae are the opposite, with their eyes on the left side. A small number of species in Pleuronectidae can also have their eyes on the left side, notably the members of the genus Platichthys.

European plaice Species of fish

The European plaice, commonly referred to as simply plaice, is a species of marine flatfish in the genus Pleuronectes of the family Pleuronectidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common dab</span> Species of fish

The common dab is an edible flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish native to shallow seas around Northern Europe, in particular the North Sea, where it lives on sandy bottoms down to depths of about 100 metres (330 ft). It can reach 40 centimetres (16 in) in length and can weigh up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb), though most specimens grow no longer than 20 centimetres (7.9 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand turbot</span> Species of fish

The New Zealand turbot, Colistium nudipinnis, is a righteye flounder of the subfamily Rhombosoleinae in the family Pleuronectidae, found around New Zealand in shallow enclosed waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter flounder</span> Species of fish

The winter flounder, also known as the black back, is a right-eyed ("dextral") flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to coastal waters of the western north Atlantic coast, from Labrador, Canada to Georgia, United States, although it is less common south of Delaware Bay. It is the most common near-shore (shallow-water) flounder in the waters from Newfoundland down through Massachusetts Bay, reaching a maximum size around 61 cm in length and 2.25 kg in weight. The species grows larger on Georges Bank, where they can reach a length of 70 cm and weight of 3.6 kg. Although winter flounder historically supported large commercial and recreational fisheries, biomass and landings have decreased since the 1980s.

Witch (righteye flounder) Species of fish

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus, known in English by a variety of common names including the witch, witch flounder, pole flounder, craig fluke, Torbay sole and grey sole, is a species of flatfish from the family Pleuronectidae. It occurs on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean on muddy sea beds in quite deep water. In northern Europe it has some importance in fisheries as a food fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American plaice</span> Species of fish

The American plaice, American sole or long rough dab is a North Atlantic flatfish that belongs, along with other right-eyed flounders, to the family Pleuronectidae. In the northwest Atlantic it ranges from Greenland and Labrador to Rhode Island, and in the northeast Atlantic it ranges from Murmansk to the English Channel, Ireland and Iceland. They live on soft bottoms at depths of 10 to 3,000 m (33–9,843 ft), but mainly between 90 and 250 m (300–820 ft).

<i>Limanda</i> Genus of flounders

Limanda is a genus of righteye flounders native to the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remo flounder</span> Species of fish

The Remo flounder, Oncopterus darwinii, is an edible flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on bottoms at depths of between 20 and 80 metres. Its native habitat is the southwestern Atlantic along the southeast coast of South America, from Santa Catarina, Brazil in the north to the San Matías Gulf, Argentina in the south. It can reach 30 centimetres (12 in) in length.

Rhombosoleidae Family of fishes

Rhombosoleidae is a family of flatfish in the order Pleuronectiformes, comprising nine genera and 19 species; all members of this family are right eye flounders with asymmetrical pelvic fins. Species are typically demersal, living on bottoms in temperate marine waters on the continental shelf, although some species of Rhombosolea enter fresh water in New Zealand. Most are restricted to waters around Australia and New Zealand, though the Remo flounder, Oncopterus darwinii, occurs in the southwestern Atlantic and the Indonesian ocellated flounder, Psammodiscus ocellatus, occurs in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex sole</span> Species of fish

The rex sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. Locally, it may also be known as a witch or threadfin sole. It is a demersal fish that lives in temperate waters on sand or mud bottoms at depths of up to 900 metres (3,000 ft), though it is most commonly found between 61 and 500 metres. Its native habitat is the northern Pacific, from Baja California in Mexico up the coasts of the United States, British Columbia and Alaska, across the Bering Sea to the coast of Russia and the Sea of Japan. It is slow-growing, reaching up to 60 centimetres (24 in) in length, and it can weigh up to 2.0 kilograms (4.4 lb). Maximum reported lifespan is 24 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock sole</span> Species of fish

The rock sole, also known as the Pacific rock sole or Southern rock sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on sand and gravel bottoms at depths of up to 575 metres (1,886 ft), though it is most commonly found between 0 and 183 metres. Its native habitat is the temperate waters of the northern Pacific, from Baja California to Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and southeastern parts of the Bering Sea. It grows up to 60 centimetres (24 in) in length and can weigh up to 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb), and has a maximum recorded lifespan of 22 years.

Plaice Common name for a group of flatfish

Plaice is a common name for a group of flatfish that comprises four species: the European, American, Alaskan and scale-eye plaice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowfin sole</span> Species of fish

The yellowfin sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on soft, sandy bottoms at depths of up to 700 metres (2,300 ft), though it is most commonly found at depths of around 91 metres (299 ft). Its native habitat is the temperate waters of the northern Pacific, from Korea and the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and Barkley Sound on the west coast of Canada. Males grow up to 49 cm (19 in) in length, though the common length is around 33.5 cm (13.2 in). The maximum recorded weight is 1.7 kg (3.7 lb), and the maximum recorded lifespan is 26 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American smooth flounder</span> Species of fish

The American smooth flounder is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that inhabits shallow inshore salt and brackish waters at depths of up to 27 metres (89 ft). Its native habitat is the temperate waters of the northwestern Atlantic, from Ungava Bay in Quebec, Canada to Rhode Island, United States. It can grow up to 30 centimetres (12 in) in length.

The narrow-body righteye flounder is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on saltwater bottoms at depths of between 218 and 438 metres. Its natural habitat is the waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Bali Strait to Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It can grow up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small-mouth righteye flounder</span> Species of fish

The small-mouth righteye flounder is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on saltwater bottoms from depths of 304 metres (997 ft). Its natural habitat is the tropical waters of the southwest Pacific. It can grow up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length.

<i>Lepeophtheirus pectoralis</i> Species of crustacean

Lepeophtheirus pectoralis is a species of parasitic copepod from the northeast Atlantic Ocean, and the type species of the genus Lepeophtheirus. It is a parasite of flatfish, with the European flounder, the plaice, and the dab as the most frequent hosts. It feeds on the mucus, skin, and blood of the fish, with egg-producing females infecting the pectoral and pelvic fins of the host, while immature individuals and males are found on the rest of the body.

References

  1. 1 2 Sobel, J. (1996). "Pleuronectes ferrugineus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 1996: e.T17710A7362225. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T17710A7362225.en. Downloaded on 25 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Limanda ferruginea (Storer, 1839)". WoRMS – World Register of Marine Species . Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  3. ↑ Archiv für Naturgeschichte (in German). Nicolai. 1835. pp. 160–161.
  4. ↑ Storer, David Humphreys; Peabody, William Bourn Oliver (1839). Reports on the Fishes, Reptiles and Birds of Massachusetts. Dutton and Wentworth, State Printers. pp. 142–143.
  5. ↑ "Limanda limanda (Linnaeus, 1758)". WoRMS – World Register of Marine Species. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  6. ↑ Gill, Theodore N. (1861). "Catalogue of the fishes of the eastern coast of North America, from Greenland to Georgia". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 13: 1–63 [51]. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  7. ↑ Cooper, J. Andrew. (1996). Monophyly and intrarelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification (PhD thesis). University of Ottawa. pp. 103–104. doi:10.20381/RUOR-16625. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  8. ↑ Vinnikov, Kirill A.; Thomson, Robert C.; Munroe, Thomas A. (2018). "Revised classification of the righteye flounders (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae) based on multilocus phylogeny with complete taxon sampling". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 125: 147–162. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.014. PMID   29535031. S2CID   5009041.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 O'Malley, Henry (1925). Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Fisheries: Volume 40, Part 1. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 495–500.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Yellowtail Flounder". NOAA Fisheries . 2021-08-30. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  11. 1 2 3 "Yellowtail Flounder". ThisFish. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Yellowtail Flounder". Virginia Institute of Marine Science . Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  13. ↑ Günther, Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf (1861). Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum. Wheldon & Wesley. p. 447.
  14. 1 2 3 "Yellowtail Flounder". Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control . Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  15. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2018). "Limanda ferruginea" in FishBase . February 2018 version.
  16. 1 2 3 "Yellowtail Flounder". Fisheries and Oceans Canada . 2016-12-19. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  17. ↑ "Place names – Query by name". Natural Resources Canada . Archived from the original on 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  18. ↑ "Landings". NOAA Fisheries . Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  19. 1 2 3 "Maine Seafood Guide – Flounder". Maine Sea Grant. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  20. ↑ "Yellowtail Flounder". FishWatch. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
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