Mike Kirkhart
Painting a Flounder, by Mike Kirkhart: Did you know that flounders are born like most fish with both eyes on opposite sides of their heads? A flounder larva is hatched in the suspended column of water off the bottom, and as it grows an eye migrates around or through the head to the other side, leaving the blind side (bottom) with no eye at all. This process takes only about three weeks and the fish is only about ¾ of an inch. It is thought that it is part of the fish’s design, so it can live as it does on the bottom looking up for food. During the first year a flounder can grow up to a foot in length. Males only live 3–5 years, with females living 10+ years and growing upwards of 15 pounds. The world record Southern flounder is 20 pounds, 9 ounces. To subscribe, renew, or to check your status, call us at 800-783-7266.