Norwegian record Witch flounder: 757 g

About Witch flounder

The witch flounder, Glyptocephalus cynoglossus, is a thin, elongated right-eyed flatfish found in both the western and eastern North Atlantic. In Europe it ranges from Biscay to the Murmansk coast, and it is common along the entire Norwegian coastline. It prefers soft clay and mud bottoms, usually at 100 to 400 metres, though records span about 45 to more than 1,400 metres. The eyed side is a plain greyish brown with fine dark speckles, and its smooth scales make it slippery to handle. Note the small head, straight lateral line and dark-tipped pectoral fins. Typical fish measure 30 to 40 cm, and few exceed 60 cm and 2.5 kg. It grows slowly and feeds on bristle worms, small crustaceans and brittle stars. Spawning takes place from spring to late summer. A fine food fish, it is mostly taken as bycatch; anglers occasionally hook it when bait fishing in deep water. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Havforskningsinstituttet, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juni

See the species guide

Biggest Witch flounder in FishComp

Caught a Witch flounder? Log it in FishComp.

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.