Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Pleuronectidae
- Genus
- Microstomus
- Species
- achne
Habitat
Slime flounder inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow to moderate depths of the continental shelf in the Northwest Pacific, including areas like the Sea of Japan and East China Sea. They prefer temperate waters and are often found at depths of 50 to 200 meters.
Diet
Slime flounder primarily feeds on small benthic invertebrates such as polychaete worms, crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, and occasionally small fish. They are nocturnal hunters, lying in wait on the ocean floor and ambushing prey with a quick suction feed.
Behavior
Slime flounder is a solitary, bottom-dwelling fish that buries itself in sediment during the day for camouflage and becomes more active at night to hunt. They exhibit territorial behavior when feeding but generally avoid confrontation, and they can change color slightly to match their surroundings.
Fishing
Targeting slime flounder, a valued food fish in the Northwest Pacific, involves effective bottom fishing techniques using a medium-heavy rod and reel setup with 20-30 pound test line, a sturdy egg sinker to reach depths of 50-200 meters, and size 1/0 to 2/0 hooks baited with live shrimp, crabs, or polychaete worms to mimic their natural diet; artificial lures like soft plastics or jigs can also work when twitched along the seafloor. The best season is spring and early summer during their spawning period, with prime fishing times at night when they are most active and hunting; focus on sandy or muddy bottoms in areas like the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, or near the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin for the highest success. Record sizes include fish up to 60 cm in length and weighing 5 pounds 8 ounces, with IGFA records not specifically noted for this species. Conservation efforts, supported by angler license fees and excise taxes, ensure healthy populations through practices like slot limits and catch-and-release in certain regions, promoting sustainable fishing that funds habitat restoration in these temperate waters and helps maintain stable populations as indicated by current assessments.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.