Turbot
Scientific Name: Scophthalmus maximus | Category: saltwater
The turbot presents itself as a true aristocrat of the flatfish clan. It is a right-eyed flounder, meaning both eyes are situated on the left side of its body when viewed dorsally, with a broad, almost circular, diamond-shaped outline. Its size is imposing: commercial fisheries routinely land specimens over 30 pounds, and the true trophies, the fish of dreams, can surpass 50 pounds. In hand, the angler will note its thick, muscular body covered in small, bony tubercles instead of scales, giving it a uniquely rough, armor-like texture. Its coloring is typically a mottled brown or olive on the upper side, a perfect camouflage for its sandy and gravelly realm, while the blind underside is a stark, creamy white.
species.getBySlug
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"id": "d3d1866a-4bec-4a42-b0c4-6c4d85db807e",
"commonName": "Turbot",
"scientificName": "Scophthalmus maximus",
"slug": "turbot",
"category": "saltwater",
"aliases": [
"Brill",
"Turbot Brill",
"European Turbot",
"Common Turbot",
"Stone Turbot",
"Turbot Flounder",
"Rhombus"
],
"description": "The turbot presents itself as a true aristocrat of the flatfish clan. It is a right-eyed flounder, meaning both eyes are situated on the left side of its body when viewed dorsally, with a broad, almost circular, diamond-shaped outline. Its size is imposing: commercial fisheries routinely land specimens over 30 pounds, and the true trophies, the fish of dreams, can surpass 50 pounds. In hand, the angler will note its thick, muscular body covered in small, bony tubercles instead of scales, giving it a uniquely rough, armor-like texture. Its coloring is typically a mottled brown or olive on the upper side, a perfect camouflage for its sandy and gravelly realm, while the blind underside is a stark, creamy white.",
"imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/turbot/main.webp",
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"caption": "The turbot presents itself as a true aristocrat of the flatfish clan.",
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{
"id": "827c70ec-2aaa-47ff-bc7f-0df6383fe45a",
"name": "Juvenile",
"slug": "juvenile",
"description": "Young turbot begin life looking like typical roundfish, swimming upright in the water column. After a few weeks, a remarkable metamorphosis occurs: one eye migrates to the other side of the head, and the fish adopts a benthic lifestyle. During this vulnerable nursery stage, they seek shelter in shallow, protected coastal waters.",
"appearance": "Very small, initially symmetrical larvae with eyes on each side of the head. Post-metamorphosis, they become flat, right-eyed flounder with a rounded, slightly less diamond-shaped outline than adults. Upper side is a pale, translucent brown with faint, irregular spotting for camouflage against sandy bottoms. The undersides are white. The body is not yet thick, and the characteristic bony tubercles are either absent or very small and sparse.",
"triggers": null,
"habitat": "Very shallow, inshore nursery grounds, often over fine sand or mud in protected bays and estuaries.",
"anglersNote": "Rarely targeted by anglers due to their small size and protective regulations in nursery areas.",
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},
{
"id": "12e7a5bb-80ed-4663-a1a3-6e78898f9a99",
"name": "Adult",
"slug": "adult",
"description": "The full-grown turbot is a powerful, ambush predator of open sandy grounds and deeper channels. This is the life phase anglers pursue—a solitary, lie-in-wait hunter that buries itself in the substrate, exploding with surprising speed to engulf passing prey like fish and crabs. It is a prized adversary, known for its brute strength and table quality.",
"appearance": "A broad, muscular, diamond-shaped flatfish. The upper (eyed) side is densely covered in small, hard, bony tubercles (not scales), creating a rough, knobby texture. Coloration is a highly variable, cryptic pattern of mottled olive-brown, dark brown, and sandy grey, often with darker spots and speckles to mimic a gravelly seabed. The blind underside is a smooth, stark white. The mouth is large and crescent-shaped. Size ranges dramatically from smaller 'plate-sized' fish of a few pounds to true trophies with a thick body depth, exceeding 30 inches and 50 pounds.",
"triggers": "Reaching a certain size and moving from nursery grounds to open, deeper feeding areas.",
"habitat": "Sandy, gravelly, or mixed bottoms offshore, typically in depths from 10 to 80 meters, often near tidal currents or channels.",
"anglersNote": "The classic trophy phase. Prized for its powerful fight and superb flavor. Best targeted by boat fishing with bait (fresh fish strips, crab) drifted over sandy ground.",
"displayOrder": 1,
"imageUrl": null,
"media": null
}
],
"contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:32:06.668Z"
}species.getDestinations (0)
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