The largetooth flounder (family Paralichthyidae, commonly referring to species such as Paralichthys spp.) is a demersal flatfish found in coastal and estuarine waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, particularly favoring sandy or muddy bottoms. Known for their distinctive asymmetrical bodies and large mouths, these flounders are prized both commercially and recreationally for their mild, flaky flesh. The top largetooth flounder fishing countries include the United States (especially along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts), Mexico, Brazil, and Japan, each with well-established trawl and gillnet fisheries targeting these species. In the U.S., the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) supports a significant commercial and recreational fishery, while in Brazil and Mexico, related species such as Paralichthys patagonicus and Paralichthys isosceles are important to local economies. Japan also harvests several Paralichthys species, with aquaculture supplementing wild catches. Sustainable management practices vary by country, but overfishing and habitat degradation remain concerns in some regions.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.