(Linnaeus, 1766); Paralichthys lethostigma; Also called Flounder and Doormat. The southern flounder is found along the southeast coast of the United States from Albemarle Sound, North Carolina to the lower east coast of Florida. The species is absent in the Florida Keys, but, once again appears in the fish catches on the Florida west coast near St. Petersburg. Southern flounder are found throughout the near shore and estuarine waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico to northern Mexico. Southern flounders commonly enter fresh water and have been found 100 miles up rivers.

The body is very compressed laterally and right side is white and eyeless. The left side has both eyes and is olive brown in color with dark and white spots. Flounders, like other fish, hatch with one eye on each side of their head. Movement of the right eye to the left side of the head begins when the fish is a to ½ inch in length and is complete when the fish is ¾ inch to 1 inch in length. At this same time, the left side develops its dark color and the right side turns white.

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