Flounder and sand dabs are two of the most popular flatfish (fish with both eyes on one side of their body) in the world. They make delicious meals, but they can be difficult to tell apart. Here is an explanation of some of their similarities and differences.
Body Difference: Dab Vs Flounder
Flounder and sand dabs are both flatfish but flounder tend to be bigger than sand dabs.
The major body difference would be that Dab has a curve behind the gill plate in the lateral line however the Flounder is straight.
The flounder is a lean fish with a sweet, mild flavor. Flounders are also known as dab, golden or lemon because of their coloring.
Sand dabs have a thick body that’s widest in the middle then tapers down towards the head and tail. They have large eyes on each end of their body, which gives them their name: sand dabbed-eye! Sand dabs are closely related to sole but they tend to be larger than sole and have different shaped heads than true soles (sole has one eye on top while sand dabs/diamond-eyed splitfins have two).
Taste Difference: Dab Vs Flounder
Sand dabs are ranked among the healthiest fish. They have a sweet, mild flavor and are low in mercury. Sand dabs also contain good amounts of protein and essential Omega-3 fatty acids—which may reduce inflammation and help protect against heart disease, stroke and arthritis.
Flounder are large flatfish with a lean body and white flesh. They have a mild, delicate flavor and make an excellent choice for sautéing or grilling. Flounder are also high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D.
Flounder and sand dabs are both mild-flavored, white-fleshed fish with a lean meat. Both are also caught in the Pacific Ocean.
Picture Showcasing Both Dab & Flounder
The picture below shows both Dab & Flounder, Dab is black on the top and Flounder is somewhat transparent on the bottom.
Major Differences & Similarities between Dab & Flounder
- Both sand dabs and flounders have a similar body shape. They’re both flatfish, meaning they swim on their sides with their eyes towards the top of their body.
- Both sand dabs and flounders are lean fish, meaning that there isn’t a lot of fat in them. This makes it easier to cook these fish because there’s not much oil to get rid of before cooking or eating them.
- Sand dabs and flounders are white fish like halibut or cod, so they’re easy to prepare and cook; just follow the instructions on how you’d cook any other white fish!
- If you like mild-flavored seafood, then sand dabs and flounder are perfect choices for you—they’re very mild tasting with no strong aftertaste (like clams). They can be used in any recipe that calls for other types of whitefish (like cod) since they taste similar but aren’t overpowering flavors like shellfish can be sometimes! Also, try substituting one type for another if needed when planning out meals at home: be creative!
Flounder and sand dabs are very similar!
Both flounder and sand dabs are flatfish, meaning they have one eye on each side of their body and a thin, soft, slipper-like body. They are both commercially fished in the wild for human consumption—though flounder are more popular than sand dabs.
It can be difficult to tell these two species apart because they have similar physical features: small size (roughly six inches long), round shape with a slightly upturned tail end, and mild flavor. However, there are some subtle differences between them that can help you identify which fish is being served at your local seafood restaurant!
Conclusion
Both flounder and sand dabs are flatfish with a lean body, thickening towards the middle and tapering off to become thinner near the tail.
If you run your hand on a Dab from tail to head, you will feel it to be rough. This is the easiest way to identify a Dab and differentiate it from the Flounder.
They have a white flesh that has a sweet, mild flavor. The main difference between these two fish is their size. Flounder tend to grow larger than sand dabs. You can cook both of them in many different ways, but we suggest baking or sautéing them for best results!
