The fantail flounder (*Syacium papillosum*) is a demersal flatfish found primarily in the western Atlantic, ranging from North Carolina through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern South America. Characterized by its oval, flattened body and distinctive fin shape, this species inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms at moderate depths. The fantail flounder is not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, but it is regularly caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries for shrimp and other demersal species. The leading countries harvesting fantail flounder include the United States (especially in the Gulf of Mexico), Mexico, Venezuela, and other Caribbean nations. In these regions, the fantail flounder contributes modestly to local fish markets and is valued for its mild, white flesh, though its economic impact is smaller compared to more prominent flatfish species like the European plaice or Pacific halibut.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.