Dab flounder

Delicate. Versatile. Light.

Atlantic Dab

From its culinary versatility, to its affordability, to its ecological role, the Dab Flounder is a winner. It offers a tasty, healthy, and eco-conscious choice suitable for a variety of dishes and dietary preferences.

Dab Flounder has a mild, subtly sweet flavor, making it a perfect fish for those just beginning their foray into seafood.

Further, unlike many commercial fish species, dab flounder is not heavily fished, and is relatively affordable, making it an eco-conscious, accessible choice. Further, as a bottom-dweller, dab flounder plays a critical role in the habitat—it helps control populations of smaller prey species and serves as prey for larger marine animals. 

An adaptation phenomenon

The Dab Flounder is an evolutionary phenomenon. Dab Flounder undergo a remarkable metamorphosis during their early life stages, which includes the migration of one eye to the other side of its body.  Dab Flounder start their life as bilaterally symmetrical larvae, just like many fish species. But as the larvae develop, they undergo a dramatic transformation during which one eye begins to migrate across the top of the head to the other side. This process is driven by complex genetic and hormonal signals. Simultaneously, the body begins to flatten, and the larva starts to tilt to one side.

The transformation allows the dab flounder to see above their bodies and maintain an effective lookout for both food and threats, all while maintaining a low profile against the seabed due to their camouflaged coloration. 

Dab flounder are relatively small compared to some other flatfish species, usually measuring about 20 to 30 centimeters in length, but can reach up to 40 cm.

Size

Dab flounder have adapted their bodies for a life spent mostly on the seabed. Dab flounder have a flat, oval-shaped body. They are asymmetrical, with both eyes located on one side of the body as adults. This adaptation allows them to lie flat on the ocean floor while keeping both eyes facing upward to watch for predators and prey. The side of the body with the eyes (the upward-facing side) typically exhibits a sandy or mottled coloration; the underside is usually pale or white.

Body

Dab prefer sandy or muddy sea beds where they can easily blend into their environment, using their flat, camouflaged bodies to evade predators and surprise prey. They inhabit depths that range from shallow waters to deeper parts of the continental shelf, typically up to 100 meters.

Habitat

Dab flounder are opportunistic feeders, and their diet varies based on what is available. They generally feed on small fish near the seabed, crustaceans, mollusks, and marine worms.

Diet

Dab typically spawn during the colder months of the year. In the North Atlantic, the spawning season can extend from late autumn through early spring, roughly between November and April. During spawning, dab flounder release their eggs into the water column, where they are fertilized and then develop while drifting. The eggs and larvae are pelagic, meaning they float freely in the open water, rather than developing on the seabed.

Spawn

Pleuronectidae or "right eye" flounder

Family

The perfect fish for those who don’t want something “fishy.” Dab flounder is appreciated for its delicate, mild flavor, and fine, flaky texture. The flesh is light and subtly sweet, making it a versatile choice for a variety of culinary preparations. Because of its gentle taste, dab doesn't overpower dishes and pairs well with a wide range of seasonings and ingredients. 

Common preparations include pan-fried, lemon butter sauce, baked with herbs, or en papillote.

In the Kitchen

Due to its low fat content, dab has a delicate texture and flavor, which makes it versatile for cooking, but also means it can dry out if overcooked. For best culinary results, dab should be cooked with care, ideally using methods that can retain its moisture and tenderness, such as poaching, steaming, or baking

alternatives to: Sole, Flounder, Halibut

Low fat content similar to species like sole. Typically, the fat content ranges from less than 1%, depending on factors like diet, environmental conditions, and the specific part of the fihs. It is rich in high-quality protein, and provides important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B12, iodine, and selenium

The Whole Fish

cheeks

Fillet

roe

Bones

Due to its flat, oval shape, a whole-roasted dab looks beautiful from a presentation perspective. After gutting the fish, both the outside and inside of the fish can be rubbed with olive oil and citrus, and whole-roasted or baked. Cooking the whole dab not only preserves its natural juices, but also enhances its flavors through the herbs and lemons. It’s a healthy, simple, and elegant way to enjoy the fish. 

The Whole Fish

Cheeks, though small, are a tender part of the fish. They can be seared to highlight their subtle sweetness.

Known for their delicate texture and mild flavor, dab fillets are best cooked using methods that highlight these qualities without overwhelming the fish. Pan-frying, baking, poaching, broiling, and steaming the fillets work best.

The dab flounder liver can be sautéed in butter and then blended with herbs and butter into a delicious pâté.

Liver

Dab roe has a delicate, briny flavor with a rich creamy texture. It is mild when compared to the roe of salmon or urchin. When cooked, the roe is tender and subtle, and can be sautéed with lemon to lift its subtle sea flavor. 

The bones and head can be reserved, and serve as the base of a rich, flavorful fish stock. 

Dab Flounder are found primarily in the waters in the North Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Greenland down to New England, and occasionally as far south as New Jersey. They are also common around the coasts of the British Isles, and throughout the North Sea. Their ability to thrive in various temperature regimens and bottom substrates contributes to their broad distribution.

Fishing & Sustainability

Harvest Methods

trawling. gillnets.

Dab flounder are typically caught as bycatch in trawls targeting more valuable species such as other flatfish (plaice and sole), groundfish (cod and haddock), and even shrimp. Because they are not a primary target in most fisheries, comprehensive data specifically on dab flounder catches are less common. Because of their availability and ease of which they are caught, they are a popular target for amateur fishers.

Dab flounder, although not typically a primary target species, are included in broader Fishery Management Plans that cover multiple species of groundfish and flatfish. 

While specific quotas for dab flounder may not always be set due to its status often as bycatch, the management of the fishery includes setting annual catch limits (ACLs) for groundfish species.

Environmental Impact & Efforts

  • The commercial fishing of dab flounder is managed by the N w England Management Council (NEFMC), which mandates regulations including quota systems, closed seasons, and size limits help maintain a health population of dab flounder.

  • In the Gulf of Maine, there are no size limitations for Dab Flounder partly because Dab Flounder are not targeted as a primary commercial species; rather, it is typically caught as bycatch.

    In regions where size limits are applied to flatfish species, they are typically set to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to reproduce before being caught, helping to maintain healthy population levels.

  • Protecting the habitats where dab flounder live is crucial for their survival and growth. This includes regulating activities that impact the seabed, such as certain types of trawling. Marine protection areas (MPAs) and essential fish habitat (EFH) designations are tools used to safeguard important areas.

  • In some regions, dab flounder are used as indicator species for monitoring the health of marine environments. Studies on their population dynamics, health, and distribution can help provide insights into the impacts of environmental changes and human activities.

According to NOAA, the U.S. wild-caught Dab Flounder are a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.