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Introduction

The order Heterosomata, consists of the flatfishes, and have long been a major economic important group of marine fish. Starry flounder have been found to be one of the most widely distributed species of flounders in the world. Existing within fresh water, often the mouths of rivers, streams, and small brooks that flow into the ocean, and also within bays and calm regions of the ocean. For this reason this species has been described as a euryhaline organism, which means it has the ability to adapt a wide range of salinities.

Morphology

The starry flounder has an oval shaped body with a slender, pointed head. Its eyed side is an olive to dark brown or almost black in some cases and the blind side is a white or creamy white color. This species has unpaired fins ranging from a white to yellow-orange complexion, with black bands running perpendicular to the fish. The posterior fin or the caudal fin is nearly square on this species of flounder or sometimes slightly rounded. Lateral lines with a slight curve run over the pectoral fin and a complete lack of an accessory dorsal branch is found within this species. This species relies heavily on its strong anal spine for swimming.

Behavior and Life History

Behavior

The starry flounder has a multitude of well studied behaviors that are exhibited on a daily basis. At a normal resting position the dorsal and anal fins are angled so to prevent the body from resting upon the substrate, support being given by the fins, so as to create a cushion of water between the fish and the substrate. This is also for water to escape through an opening on the blind side of the fish and lessens the amount of effort needed to move .

Movement of this fish has been described to look much like crawling, with the first few rays of the dorsal and anal fins moving in a rowing motion that progresses caudally along the fish creating a waving movement of the fins, propelling the fish forward. Flounders are also capable of backwards locomotion, which is achieved with the same waving movement of the fins but the rowing motion progresses anteriorly. This movement is used as a method of escape or if it encounters an obstacle . When quick movements are needed from this fish, such as when feeding or frightened, the pectoral fin is extended at a right angle from the body, and used as an additional paddle.

Another key behavioral ability displayed by the P. stellatus is its ability to change its body coloration depending upon the substrate or environment that it is in. This process is done by changing pigment granule concentration in chromatophores, which will the result in the shade variations seen within this species.

Ecology

The primary habitat for this species is within mud, sand, or gravel bottoms from 0-375 m (1230 ft), but most commonly above 146 m (479 ft). They are usually found near shore and often enter brackish or even fresh water on occasion . Highly salinated water is something this fish stays away from because of its inability to keep its cells from becoming hypersalinated .

Distribution

The starry flounder has a relatively large home range, going from the North Pacific Ocean all the way to Southern California. Within the Pacific Ocean they are located in Korea and Southern Japan through Bering Strait and Arctic Alaska to the Coronation Gulf. They have also been prominently found in Canada, Santa Barbara and Southern California.

Interactions with Humans

Commercial Fishing

In California the P. stellatus is of relatively minor importance within fisheries, only entering commercial catch at major fishing ports north of Point Conception. Usually filleted and often sold under the name of "sole." Not considered a very flavorful or texturely decent fish. The young and smaller individuals are more sought after than the larger and heavier fish. Within the Bering Sea it's caught and mainly canned as a high class export item .