OSTEICHTHYES: PLEURONECTIFORMES: ACHIRIDAE: Trinectes

Trinectes maculatus (Bloch)

Aquarium Flounder/Freshwater Flounder

Photo by Daniel Diessner; text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Brackish coastal waters of the eastern United States.

Diagnosis:

Description: A true flatfish that grows to about 33 mm. Color is variable and subject to change depending upon water temperature and physiology of the fish. Like other flounders, the aquarium flounder is capable of marked color change, generally matching the colors of natural substrates. The eyes are tiny globes that are situated above the head.

Natural History: This small flatfish is a common aquarium species, but requires a diet of small live foods such as newly hatched brine shrimps, daphnia, and small red worms. Though sold as freshwater animals, they must have brackish water if they are to survive.

Reproduction: Egg layers. Fry are extremely tiny and resemble normal bilaterally symmetrical fishes, but as they grow the eyes migrate to the right side of the body.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

Additional Comments: Though a popular aquarium species for over 60 years, there is almost no literature available about freshwater flounders.

Type Specimen:

Literature:

Axelrod, H., C. Emmens, W. Burgess and N. Pronek. 1986. Exotic tropical fishes. Expanded edition. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-87666-543-1.

Innes, William T. Various dates/editions. Exotic Aquarium Fishes. TFH Publications.