Freshwater Flounder?

[ctbestfisherman]

I was at my LFS yesterday and saw they had a flounder in a freshwater tank. It was 2 by 2 inches. On the tank description it said it would eat algae. This shop has no saltwater tanks so it must have been freshwater. Just wondering if anyone ever heard of a freshwater flounder before. I was thinking of picking it up if it stays small and is indeed a freshwater fish. Any info would be appreciated.

[paperdragon]

There's a "freshwater flounder" you see for sale a lot that's actually a brackish fish. It can survive in freshwater, but it doesn't do all that well in it from what I've read.

[kyryah]

Agreed :)

Kristina

[ctbestfisherman]

Thank you very much. Do you know how big they get? I might set up a small brackish tank for the flounder and some bumblebee gobies if it remains small. The last thing I want is a 20" or bigger flounder.

[paperdragon]

Here's a profile I found: http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Flounder.htm

Says 6" max on there.

[ctbestfisherman]

Thank you very much great site.

[vampie]

Agreed, flounders sold as freshwater are usually brackish, gets to about 6", and doesn't eat algae. There are true freshwater flounders, though you'll rarely see those being sold.

[vanillarum]

I have had 2 freshwater flounder for almost 2 years. I keep them in my community tank (freshwater), and they do just fine. I got them at about 3/4" and they are now a little over 2" each. I don't know if they eat algae, but mine are constantly pressed up against the glass, so maybe they do. All my "non " fishy friends think they are pretty cool. Good luck.

[austinpetemo]

no such thing as a FW flounder. i made the mistake of buying one. they dont eat algae and they need brakish water. mine eventually died because it would not eat any food that i offered it.

[Mudfrog]

They are very fragile as well. I would not keep one unless you are a very experienced brackish keeper.

[black_sun]

There are a few true FW species (or rather, FW species that retain a similar appearance/behavior to flounder), but usually what you see sold is a Hogchoker, which does best in brackish and maxes at around 8". The other species tend to be rather expensive and only come in as special orders (at least around here).

These are a pain in the arse to keep if you buy them small, very difficult to feed. But when purchased at a larger size, much easier to care for. And very interesting fish that have been successfully kept long term in FW on many occasions to my knowledge, not personally recommending it per say though. I used to have one, really neat fish, but it was really fragile and easily injured (couldn't house it by itself in such a large tank and they can't be kept with small fish or inverts as they'll eat them, so I re-homed it). There's quite a few keepers over on MFK if you want more first hand experience/info with the species.

[RESET]

Hello all, I am taking this opportunity to make my first post. I have a "fresh water flounder". Actually, we started with three but one died when we lost power for three weeks in the winter. The second died unexpectedly about six months ago. The one we have left lives in his own 20g with a sand bottom. The ones you see sticking to the glass are doing that because they don't really like the texture of the rocks on their bellies. They prefer to partially cover themselves in sand. Both to hide and because they are ambush predators. Mine has eaten three bumble bee gobies and several ghost shrimp. The Gobies were a mistake, the shrimp were an experiment. He normally eats frozen brine shrimp. He is just under 4" after three years. We really like him but he is a special needs fish. His water is not brackish but we do put some salt in there from time to time, just barely more than you would for medicinal purposes.

OH and they change pattern/color slightly to blend in. Ours were brown when we got them and we put them in a half black and half white sand bottom tank. Their patterns changed and they became light colored with darker specs to blend in. very neat.

[SafaditM3]

Don't mean to put you on the spot Reset but do you have any pics? That would be cool if you did this is the first time I ever hear about fw flounders.

[RESET]

I have lots of pics. I will upload tomorrow and post up.

[SafaditM3]

Awesome! Thank you

[rwilliams254]

after it grows to full size... a dry rub is the best type of seasoning for flounder.

[SafaditM3]

:iagree: :lol:

[RESET]

Here ya go.
This is just after we brought them home. At that time, the 20 long was split into two tanks. the other side housed a Beta. I forgot it was just white sand at first. When the beta died in the freeze we took out the divider and replaced the gravel with black sand so it was black on one side and white on the other. The Flounder has mixed it together.
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac312/0RESET0/FISH/OtoFatSo.jpg
This is a couple months later and it is already growing.
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac312/0RESET0/FISH/flounder.jpg
These were taken in February of this year.
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac312/0RESET0/FISH/Bottom.jpg
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac312/0RESET0/FISH/Top.jpg
That suction cup is about 1 inch round.

[SafaditM3]

That is an awesome looking fish bro. :y220e:

[RESET]

That is an awesome looking fish bro. :y220e:

Thank you. I just wish we could find a tank mate that he would get along with. If it is small enough, he eats them, and if they are too docile, he terrorizes them.

[SafaditM3]

lol