catalog Paralichthyidae · predator

brazilian flounder

Paralichthys brasiliensis

SeaEstuary

Large flounder, over 1 m and 10 kg. It is an ambush hunter on the sand of beaches, bays and estuaries in the Southeast and South.

Also called: linguado-de-praia, linguado, linguado-aramaçá, solha, rodovalho

forecast for brazilian flounder where found

Scientific illustration of Brazilian flounder

common size: 35–60 cm
maximum: 100 cm
common weight: 0.6–3 kg
record/max.: 12.0 kg
depth: 0.5–40 m
ideal water: 18–26 °C

overview

who is the brazilian flounder

The Brazilian flounder (linguado-de-praia) is a flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae, found only in Brazil, that lives in shallow coastal waters, bays and estuaries, on sand and mud. Like all flounders, it hatches with one eye on each side and, while still young, one eye migrates to the left side, and the fish begins to lie on its blind side. It stays buried or camouflaged on the bottom and strikes fish and shrimp that pass overhead. Adults are solitary, and spawning happens in summer, in small groups. It has high commercial value and is much sought after in beach, boat and spearfishing. IN MMA 53/2005 sets 35 cm as the minimum size from Espírito Santo to Rio Grande do Sul.

fun facts

It is born with one eye on each side; one of them migrates to the left side while the fish is young.
It changes the color of its upper side to match the bottom.

how to recognize it

identification

Oval, flattened body with both eyes on the left side, which is pigmented: brown with light and dark blotches that change with the bottom. Blind side white. Large mouth with strong teeth; small pectoral fins; tail with a double-truncate edge. Telling it apart from the estuary flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus) requires looking at the blotch pattern and ray counts.

how brazilian flounder fishing looks

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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

Only in Brazil, from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul; most common in the Southeast and South.

Habitat: Sand and mud bottoms of beaches, coves, bays and estuaries, near rocks, ledges and channel mouths; down to about 40 m.

coast

Northeast CoastSoutheast CoastSouth Coastcoastal

states

Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul

famous destinations

São Mateus River (Cricaré) — Conceição da Barra

calendar and clock

when to fish

best season

time of yearbest: Nov–Mar

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The largest ones come close to beaches and bays in warm months, when they spawn.

best time of day

Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Ambush hunter by day in clear water, with peaks at dawn and dusk.

weather, water and behavior

what affects the brazilian flounder
sensitivity The little bars show how much each factor affects this species. Five full: it feels it a lot.

cold and cold fronts

Cold bottom water (upwelling) keeps the flounder still.

atmospheric pressure

A cold front shuts down activity for one or two days.

moon

Small effect.

rain

Murky water hampers visual hunting.

water level

In bays and estuaries, it stays at channel mouths and along the edges of the flats.

noise

Not very sensitive; buried, it only reacts to bait passing close by.

wind

Rough surf muddies the water and hurts beach fishing.

tide

Moving tide brings food to the fish holding in the corners.

depth

1 to 15 m on beaches and bays.

technique, gear and bait

how to fish

Beach fishing Natural bait on the bottom Bottom casting Bottom fishing from a boat

rod: boat: 6'6" to 7'0", 12 to 25 lb; beach: 3.6 to 4.2 m
spinning / baitcasting reel: 3000 to 5000 spinning reel
line: braided line 15 to 25 lb
leader: fluorocarbon 30 to 40 lb (sharp teeth)
hook: circle 2/0 to 4/0 on live bait; jig head 3/0 to 5/0

lures

10 to 15 cm shads on 10 to 30 g jig heads
light jigs of 20 to 60 g

natural baits

small live baitfish (parati, sardine, carapicu)
live shrimp
lula

accessories

large passaguá
alicate

tip from an angler

Drag the shad slowly, bumping the bottom. When the flounder bites, wait for it to hold before setting the hook.

what the law says

rules for the brazilian flounder

Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the national list (Portaria GM/MMA 1.667/2026). Minimum size 35 cm from ES to RS (IN MMA 53/2005).

Minimum size 35 cm (ES to RS)

35 cm (TL)ESRJSPPRSCRSSoutheast CoastSouth Coast

On the coast from ES to RS, it is prohibited to fish for, keep on board, or land flounder (Paralichthys brasiliensis) under 35 cm total length. The 20% tolerance of the catch (by weight) set out in the rule is for enforcement of landings; recreational anglers should release the small ones. The rule does not apply to trawl fishing.

Source: IN MMA nº 53/2005, Annex II (linguado / flounder, Paralichthys patagonicus / P. brasiliensis)

catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.

Hold it from underneath with both hands, supporting the body; don't hang it by the mouth. Release it lying flat on the water.

in the kitchen

White, delicate, highly prized flesh; excellent filleted, baked, and grilled.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

total length (cm)

Length-weight relationship W = a·L^b (a = 0.00661, b = 3.15; FishBase (estimativa bayesiana, comprimento total)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

estimated weight

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sources and references

The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.