DISTINGUISHING FEATURES AND BEHAVIORS

The windowpane flounder is a common flatfish in Narragansett Bay. Like the summer flounder, both eyes of the windowpane flounder are on the left side of the body, and the mouth points to the left. Both the summer and windowpane flounder are considered left-eyed flatfish.

The shape of the windowpane sets it apart from the other species of flatfish found in the Bay. The fish is characteristically round in shape, while other flatfish are more oval. The lateral line, used to sense the surrounding environment, is highly arched in this species. Windowpane flounder are thin-bodied, with less muscle than most other flatfish. When held up to light, it is possible to see through this fish, viewing the outline of its stomach and skeleton, thus the name "windowpane."

The mouth of the windowpane opens wide, and it is easy to see why some refer to it as "papermouth." They have no teeth, and feed on shrimp, crabs, small fish, and seaweed.

Windowpane flounder do not appear to undergo seasonal migrations like other fish. They can be found in the Bay throughout the year.

RELATIONSHIP TO PEOPLE

Historically, windowpane flounder were harvested for their use as lobster bait, or they were ground into fish meal. Windowpane flounder are edible, but are not as readily sought after as the more thick-bodied summer and winter flounder of the Bay. As stock sizes of the more desirable species of flatfish decreased in the Bay, commercial fishing of this species increased in large numbers all along the Atlantic coast. This has resulted in a significant population decrease in the Bay.