Weaning of Wild Young-of-the-Year Winter Flounder Pleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) on a Dry Diet: Effects on Growth, Survival, and Feed Efficiency Ratios

Winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus is being developed for aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. Weaning, the switch from a live diet to formulated feed, is a critical stage in the culture of any fish species. In this study, we used wild young-of-the-year stock to determine whether juvenile winter flounder can be weaned from live, cultured Artemia onto dry feed. The dry feed used was originally formulated for turbot Scophthalmus maximus and cod Gadus morhua by BP Nutrition, Stavanger, Norway. The performance of live feed and dry pellets was compared in terms of survival, growth and feed efficiency over three months. We were able to wean wild juvenile winter flounder onto dry feed after one week. Increased specific growth rates and feed efficiency ratios in weaned juveniles indicated that prepared diet was a better food source than Anemia . Survival was not influenced by food type.     

Progression of staining-type hypermelanosis on the blind side in normally metamorphosed juveniles and pigmentation progression in pseudoalbino juveniles of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus using individual identification

Abnormal flounder coloration frequently occurs in flounder hatcheries and diminishes the commercial value of the fish. To understand hypermelanosis, the progression of staining-type hypermelanosis in normally metamorphosed juveniles and ocular-side pigmentation in pseudoalbino juveniles were examined in the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Sixty-five days post hatching, juveniles (total length, 6 cm) were individually identified by color-marker implantation, and the darkened area of the body surface was examined for 10 weeks by image analysis of digital photographs of the fish taken from above or below the transparent tank. Staining was observed to mainly begin at the upper and lower bases of the tail fin, expanded anteriorly along the peripheral part of the trunk, and ceased after 2 months. The individuals in which staining occurred earlier expressed severe staining and small body size by the end of the experiment. Further, pigmentation of the ocular side in pseudoalbino juveniles ceased after 2 months, but the order of pigmentation was different from that on the blind side. In this case, darkening began from the posterior, but expanded from the center to the periphery of the trunk. Even at the end of the experiment, ctenoid scales were exclusively found within the darkened area, together with cycloid scales.     

Rearing of flounder (Platichthys flesus) juveniles in semiextensive systems

A low-technology rearing system was implemented for rearing juvenile flounder for stock enhancement in a Danish fjord, the Limfjord. Each year during 1996–2002, between 13,000 and 153,000 juveniles were reared from the yolk-sac stage until metamorphosis in outdoor ponds relying on phyto- and zooplankton blooms as their main food source. In contrast to other similar systems, the blooms in this system are closely monitored and, to a certain extent, regulated. The zooplankton blooms consisted mainly of calanoid copepods, dominated by the species Temora longicornis and Centropages hamatus. Most juveniles produced (>99.5%) were normally pigmented with average yearly survival rates from hatch to metamorphosis varying from 7±9% to 48±18%, lowest in the first years of production.     

Effects of water temperature on feeding and growth of juvenile marbled flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae</Emphasis> under laboratory conditions: evaluation by group- and individual-based methods

To determine the optimal temperature for juvenile (0 year old) marbled flounder Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, juveniles of 40–54 mm standard length were reared at six temperature conditions in the range of 8–26 °C, using group- and individual-based methods. Growth of juveniles increased from 8 to 20 °C but decreased from 20 to 26 °C, irrespective of the rearing method used. Food intake was greatest at 20 and 24 °C compared with other temperatures, while feed conversion efficiency was greater at 20 °C than 24 °C in individual rearing. Individual rearing provided more information such as individual variations in growth and food consumption, suggesting the importance of individual-based experiments for exploring the optimal temperature for fish.     

Compensatory Growth of Juvenile Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus L. and Changes in Biochemical Composition and Body Condition Indices during Starvation and after Refeeding in Winter Season

Compensatory growth and changes in biochemical composition, hematocrit and body condition indices of juvenile flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were assessed during starvation and after refeeding. Twenty juvenile fish were stocked into each 200‐L flow‐through tank to give five treatments with three replicates per treatment: control group fish (C) were hand fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 wk, whereas the Sl, S2, S3, and S4 fish were hand fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 7, 6, 5, and 4 wk after 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk of starvation, respectively. During starvation, weight decreased linearly with periods of feed deprivation up to 3 wk. Survival was not significantly different among treatments. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gain (g/fish) and specific growth rate (SGR) of flounder in S2 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of fish in S3 or S4, but not significantly different from those of fish in C or Sl. Feed consumption of flounder (g/fish) was proportional to duration of feeding except for that of fish in S2. Feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) values for flounder in S2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those for fish in C, but not significantly different from those for fish in Sl, S3, or S4. During starvation, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and lipid content of flounder without liver decreased with periods of feed deprivation. However, HSI and condition factor (CF) for flounder in S2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those for fish in Sl, S3, S4 and C except for CF in Sl at the end of the feeding trial. Proximate composition of flounder without the liver was not significantly different among treatments at the end of the feeding trial. In considering above results, juvenile flounder achieved compensatory growth with up to 2‐wk feed deprivation. Compensatory growth of flounder fed for 6 wk after 2‐wk feed deprivation was well supported by improvement in SGR, FER, and PER. HSI could be a good index to monitor changes in body condition during starvation and after refeeding.     

红螯螯虾的室内人工育苗

于1996-1998年,在浙北地区,对澳大利亚引进的红螯螯是进行亲虾培育、人工越冬,怀卵孵化,室内人工育苗技术的研究。研究表明,在浙北地区,2.8-4.9g的幼虾经5个月左右的饲养可以达到性成熟并部分怀卵,利用电厂余热水水泥池人工越冬的成活率可达70%以上。越冬后亲是在水温20℃以上即开始交配怀卵,怀卵盛期4-6月。红螯螯虾一年可产卵4次,但只有第一、二次怀卵可用于育苗生产,个体一次怀卵量较少,一般为400-500粒,但群体怀卵比率较高。试验还表明,红螯螯虾出膜幼体即呈幼虾状,需依附母体7-10d后才营独立生活并开口摄食外源性饵料,所研制的幼虾Ⅰ号饲料为红螯螯虾室内人工育苗较好的开口饲料。室内人工育苗成活率可达60%以上。     

Prolonged photoperiod improves the growth performance for a hatchery reared right-eyed flatfish

Rearing winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) in captivity for aquaculture and stock enhancement is a viable option to relieve fishing pressure and aid in ongoing recovery strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of photoperiod on growth and survival of young-of-the-year juvenile winter flounder. Juveniles were reared for 12 weeks at three photoperiods: 24 light/0 dark, 18 light/6 dark, and 12 light/12 dark. Twenty fish were stocked into each of 18 enclosures with six enclosures per treatment. Fish in all treatments were fed to satiation every four hours. All fish were imaged at stocking and at three-week intervals. Growth was measured as changes in standard length (SL) and body area (BA). As early as Week 3, fish in all treatments were significantly different in terms of SL and BA. In general, fish grown under continuous 24 light were the largest and fish in the 12 light/12 dark regime were the smallest. Maximum specific growth rates of 0.41 % per day for SL and 0.83 % per day for BA were achieved in the 24 light/0 dark photoperiod. Average mortality rate over the course of the experiment was 9.17 % and there were no significant differences in the number of dead fish among the treatments. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a longer day coupled with available food will increase growth rate for winter flounder juveniles, without affecting survival. By extending the photoperiod, growth in young-of-the year winter flounder is accelerated, bringing the growth rate of winter flounder close to that of other commercially produced flatfish.     

Influence of Hatchery Protocols on Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Japanese Flounder Juveniles

The Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is a commercially important fish that is stocked extensively from hatchery rearing programs in Japan. To examine the genetic variability of hatchery-raised juveniles of the Japanese flounder that are used for stocking into natural waters, we analyzed a portion of the mitochondrial genome. The mtDNA region extending from the 3'half of the cytochrome b gene to the central domain of the control region was PCR amplified and analyzed using 11 restriction endonucleases. We identified 34 polymorphic cleavage sites out of a total of 61 sites, which resulted in 67 different haplotypes in a total of 265 offspring, examined from eight hatchery stocks. Haplotype diversity of offspring at each of the eight hatcheries ranged from 0.49 ± 0.09 (SE) to 0.94 ± 0.03 (SE). Also, we observed 40 polymorphic sites out of a total of 59 sites, which resulted in a total of 50 haplotypes in 60 wild flounder. Haplotype diversity of the wild population was 0.98 ± 0.01 (SE). The use of subcultured fishes as broodstock appears to be one of the most important causes of reduced genetic diversity in hatchery-raised flounder juvenile. Our results suggest that the use of wild fish for broodstock is an effective way to maintain genetic variability in Japanese flounder offspring.     

Extension of nursery culture of Scylla serrata (Forsskål) juveniles in net cages and ponds

To address the preference of mud crab farmers for larger size Scylla serrata juveniles (5.0–10 g body weight or BW; 3.0–5.0 cm internal carapace width or ICW), a study was conducted to compare the growth and survival of crab juveniles (2.0–5.0 g BW; 1.0–3.0 cm ICW) produced a month after stocking of megalopae in net cages when reared further in net cages installed in earthen ponds or when stocked directly in earthen ponds. In a 3 × 2 factorial experiment, three stocking densities (1, 3 and 5 ind m⁻²), two types of rearing units (net cages or earthen pond) were used. Megalopae were grown to juvenile stage for 30 days in net cages set inside a 4000 m² brackishwater pond and fed brown mussel (Modiolus metcalfei). Crab juveniles were then transferred to either net cages (mesh size of 1.0 mm) or earthen ponds at three stocking densities. After 1 month, no interaction between stocking density and rearing unit was detected so data were pooled for each stocking density and rearing unit. There were no significant differences in the growth or survival rate of crab juveniles across stocking density treatments. Regardless of stocking density, survival in net cages was higher (77.11±6.62%) than in ponds (40.41±3.59%). Growth, however, was significantly higher for crab juveniles reared in earthen ponds. The range of mean BW of 10.5–16.0 g and an ICW of 3.78–4.33 cm obtained are within the size range preferred by mud crab operators for stocking grow‐out ponds.     

Antibacterial abilities of intestinal bacteria from larval and juvenile Japanese flounder against fish pathogens

The present study was undertaken to examine the antibacterial abilities of intestinal bacteria isolated from juveniles and larvae of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus . Newly hatched larvae of flounder were held in a 100 L plastic circular tank and fed rotifiers, Artemia nauplii and commercial feeds, depending on the developmental stage of the fish. Genera Aeromonas , Moraxella and Vibrio were predominantly isolated from the intestinal tracts of Japanese flounder at larval and juvenile stages, whereas Aeromonas , Bacillus , coryneforms, Moraxella , Pseudomonas and Vibrio were detected at high densities in live diets and artificial feeds. Antibacterial bacteria accounted for 1.7–24.3% of the intestinal isolates against Lactococcus garvieae , Pasteurella piscicida , Vibrio anguillarum and V. vulnificus . In particular, as much as 53.3% of Vibrio spp. other than Vibrio -swarmer isolated from 197-day-old juveniles inhibited the growth of P. piscicida . These results suggest that intestinal bacteria having antibacterial activity play a role in the prevention of infectious diseases.     

First description and collection records of juvenile slime flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microstomus achne</Emphasis> from the eastern and western coastal waters off Honshu Island,Japan

Morphological characteristics and body pigmentations of juvenile slime flounder Microstomus achne were described from one specimen [27.8 mm total length (TL)] collected off Niigata Prefecture from the Sea of Japan (35 m depth) in May 1993 and from three specimens (30.1, 36.2, and 40.9 mm TL) collected off Fukushima Prefecture on the Pacific coast of northern Japan (15 and 50 m depths) during April–May 2008 and 2009. These age-0 juveniles had a characteristically slenderly oval-shaped body and slightly protruded front nostrils. Sparsely distributed melanophores and xanthophores were clearly visible throughout the ocular side of one specimen, which was judged as a newly settled juvenile, whereas several spots aggregated by small melanophores were found in the others with elongated pectoral fins and small cycloid scales. Melanophores were only slightly detectable on the blind side. Comparisons of the depth distributions of slime flounder juveniles and sympatrically collected age-0 pleuronectids (Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini, Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, Platichthys bicoloratus, and Dexistes rikuzenius) suggested that slime flounder can settle on broad nursery areas of coastal and offshore pleuronectid flatfishes, probably depending on local oceanic conditions during the protracted pelagic phase.     

Effects of arachidonic acid on pigmentation and fatty acid composition of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck and Schlegel)

The dietary effect of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, AA) on the composition of the head and the body, and on the pigmentation of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (T. & S.), was studied by means of microbound diets. Increasing levels of this essential fatty acid produced higher growth and pigmentation success in juveniles after 45 days of feeding. The role played by AA in the composition of phosphatidylinositol and eicosanoid synthesis is discussed in relation to the normal function of the neural system and the production of hormones involved in the metamorphosis and pigmentation of flatfish.     

Structural characteristics and succession of intestinal microbiota for Paralichthys olivaceus during the early life stage

The research of intestinal microflora structures for Paralichthys olivaceus larvae and juveniles will help us to master the ontogeny and developmental colonization of microflora during the larval rearing stage. In this study, we sequenced the total bacterial genomic DNA in larval and juvenile guts with an Illumina MiSeq PE300 system, and analysed the structural characteristics of these microbiota, feed and rearing water in live and formulated feeding periods. The structure of gut microbiota was gradually similar to those in wild P. olivaceus at the phylum level and the newly hatched ones with the growth, according to the distribution and abundance of intestinal microbiota. And the colonized rule of main microbial species in guts was decreased initially and then increased during the larvae and juveniles stage. Meantime, the core microflora of this study were obtained through the analysis of shared and dominant species, which included Bacteroides, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Escherichia_Shigella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Nitrosomonas, and Glaciecola. The correlation analysis of microbiota between intestines and environmental factors suggested that microflora in feed and water could affect the distribution of larval and juvenile gut microbiota. Moreover, many species of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Vibrio are treated as important potential pathogens in aquaculture. These all pointed out the microbial quality of feed and rearing water should be strictly controlled in fish breeding and farming, and supply theoretical bases for screening the native probiotics to artificially regulate the gut microbiota.     

Pseudoalbinism and ambicoloration in hatchery-reared pleuronectids as malformations of asymmetrical formation

Morphological abnormalities in eye location and/or body coloration are commonly observed in hatchery-reared juveniles of many pleuronectid species, and have become one of the most serious problems in juvenile production for stock enhancement. In this study, these morphological abnormalities of six pleuronectid species—barfin flounder Verasper moseri, slime flounder Microstomus achne, stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus, starry flounder Pl. stellatus, cresthead flounder Pseudopleuronectes schrenki, and marbled sole Ps. yokohamae—were successfully classified into four morphological types [normal, two types of pseudoalbinism (normal-eye position or top-eye position), and ambicoloration], following the same classification scheme proposed for other two pleuronectids. Based on our results, the characteristics of each morphological type are quite similar among species. It is confirmed that the normal type has the same ocular side and blind side characteristics as those of wild fish, not only in eye position and body coloration, but also in scales or dentition. The pseudoalbino types have the blind side characteristics of wild fish on both sides, with top-eye type in all characteristics, and normal-eye type in all other characteristics other than eye position. The ambicoloration type has all the ocular side characteristics of wild fish on both sides. Therefore, the pseudoalbinism and ambicoloration of hatchery-reared juveniles of pleuronectid species can be considered malformations of asymmetrical formation. Since this process normally occurs during metamorphosis, the term “metamorphosis-related malformation” is proposed for the abnormal formation of juveniles in pleuronectid species.     

Gonadal Development and Differentiation in Cultured Juvenile Winter Flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, is currently being evaluated as a stock enhancement candidate in New Hampshire, USA; however, little is known about the gonadal development or the sex ratio of cultured juveniles. To determine the size at gonadal differentiation, 327 cultured fish ranging from <20 to 110 mm total length (TL), in 10‐mm‐TL size classes, were examined histologically. Gonads had differentiated into testes and ovaries in fish ≥41 mm TL (98%), whereas the majority of fish (81%) smaller than 40 mm TL possessed undifferentiated gonads. A total of 313 cultured fish >40 mm TL were analyzed for sex ratio. In 2003, 67 females and 164 males were identified, yielding a sex ratio that was significantly skewed toward male (χ²= 40.7, df = 1, P < 0.001). This trend held true when cultured fish were sorted by age and length, with the exception of those fish 61–70 mm TL. This aberration probably was because of a small sample size in this length category. However, in both the 2004 and the 2005 cultured populations, flounder sex did not deviate from a 1:1 ratio (2004 χ²= 0.12, df = 1, P= 0.724 and 2005 χ²= 0.02, df = 1, P= 0.881). The 2003 data suggest that environmental or genetic factors may affect winter flounder sex determination; rearing manipulation studies in the hatchery are needed to confirm this hypothesis.     

Vibrio harveyi and other bacterial pathogens in cultured summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus

A monitoring program for Vibrio harveyi and other potential bacterial pathogens of summer flounder was conducted at two facilities in the Northeast United States. Bacterial samples were collected from larval and juvenile fish and live-feed, and identified using API 20E biochemical profiles and 16S rDNA sequencing. Histopathological examinations were conducted in order to relate histological changes with the presence of potential bacterial pathogens. V. harveyi, Vibrio ichthyoenteri, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, three known pathogens of flatfish, were isolated from diseased summer flounder. Although a high proportion of juvenile summer flounder showed microscopic signs of disease, the presence of these potential bacterial pathogens in fish was not associated with large-scale mortalities. An outbreak of flounder infectious necrotizing enteritis with 30% cumulative mortality occurred when juveniles were transported to a new facility. Isolates of V. harveyi from the disease outbreak were genetically different from the isolates from the commercial hatchery. V. harveyi isolates from both facilities were pathogenic to summer flounder by intraperitoneal injection. P. damselae subsp. damselae, V. ichthyoenteri, and Vibrio scophthalmi, also found in fish with gross lesions, were not pathogenic to juvenile summer flounder by intraperitoneal injection. Our research shows that several potential bacterial pathogens are associated with morbidity and mortality in summer flounder larvae and juveniles, especially in situations of stress. Increased knowledge about the environmental conditions that lead to disease, as well as the interactions of V. harveyi with other microbial species, could lead to the development of management strategies in summer flounder farms.     

Occurrence and density of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae and juveniles in relation to environmental factors during the winter spawning season in the Kuroshio Current system

The occurrence and density of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae and juveniles were examined in relation to environmental factors during the winter spawning season in the Kuroshio Current system, based on samples from extensive surveys off the Pacific coast of Japan in 2003–2012. Dense distributions of larvae and juveniles were observed in areas around and on the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis except during a large Kuroshio meander year (2005). The relationships of larval and juvenile occurrence and density given the occurrence to sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS), and chlorophyll‐a concentration (CHL) were examined by generalized additive models for 10‐mm size classes up to 40 mm. In general, the optimal SST for larval and juvenile occurrence and density given the occurrence was consistently observed at 19–20°C. The patterns were more complex for SSS, but a peak in occurrence was observed at 34.75–34.80. In contrast, there were negative relationships of occurrence and density given the occurrence to CHL. These patterns tended to be consistent among different size classes, although the patterns differed for the smallest size class depending on environmental factors. Synthetically, the window for spawning and larval and juvenile occurrence and density seems to be largely determined by physical factors, in particular temperature. The environmental conditions which larvae and juveniles encounter would be maintained while they are transported. The survival success under the physically favorable but food‐poor conditions of the Kuroshio Current system could be key to their recruitment success.     

Spawning and rearing of Holothuria tubulosa: A new candidate for aquaculture in the Mediterranean region

Holothuria tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788) has recently shown an increased demand in Asian markets, becoming one of the intensively exploited holothurian species in the Mediterranean Sea. A risk is that over‐harvesting is likely affecting both the species' natural stocks and the benthic communities. In this scenario, sea ranching and restocking through aquaculture could assist in mitigating its overexploitation. This study is the first to demonstrate the successful artificial breeding and rearing of H. tubulosa, and its consequent potential as a new species for the Mediterranean aquaculture industry. Here we describe the spawning induction, larval development and early juvenile growth in hatchery cultures, aimed at developing a spawning and rearing protocol for this species. The trials were conducted from July to October in both 2014 and 2015. Holothuria tubulosa was induced to spawn by testing four different methods. Thermal stimulation plus thermal shock emerged as the most efficient method to obtain active and healthy gametes. Larval development in H. tubulosa progressed through five stages, reaching the juvenile stage in 27 days. Two different microalgal feeding regimens were tested for larval breeding. Under the best feeding conditions, 7% of the larvae metamorphosed into settled juveniles, adhering to artificial substrates previously conditioned with benthic biofilm. Our results indicate that H. tubulosa shows good performance in hatchery rearing during the larval phases, indicating that this species could be a new candidate for aquaculture in the Mediterranean region, both for production and restocking proposes.     

Completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) life cycle

Tuna aquaculture is currently dependent on the wild capture of juveniles for production. The development of hatchery technology for bluefin and other tunas would be a major step forward in improving sustainability of their aquaculture. The present study overviews the technology in the life cycle completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) under aquaculture conditions in Kinki University, and the problems to be solved for the establishment of tuna hatchery technology. On 23 June 2002, broodstock of PBT that were artificially hatched and reared spontaneously spawned in captivity. The resulting eggs hatched and were subsequently reared to the juvenile stage. The spawning fish were the result of a research project started in 1987 to rear wild‐caught juvenile PBT that were several months old. Fertilized eggs were obtained from these fish in 1995 and 1996. Resulting juveniles (the artificially hatched first generation) were reared to maturity and spawned in 2002. Over the summer of 2002, 1.63 million eggs from these fish were used for a mass rearing experiment, and 17 307 juveniles were produced and transferred to an open sea net cage. Of these artificially hatched second‐generation PBT, 1100 grew to approximately 95 cm total length and 14 kg body weight in 22 months. This procedure means the completion of PBT life cycle under aquaculture conditions, which was first attained among large tuna species. The problems awaiting solution in PBT hatchery production are their unpredictable spawning in captivity, to improve survival during the first 10 days post hatch, to reduce cannibalism in larval and juvenile stages, and to solve collision problem causing high mortality during the juvenile stage.     

Determining an optimal release site for juvenile winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) in the Great Bay Estuary, NH, USA

One of the main elements in developing an optimal release strategy for an enhancement effort is to evaluate and select release sites that will support growth and survival of newly released, cultured fish. Three potential release sites (New Castle (NC), Broad Cove (BC) and Oyster River (OR)) in the Great Bay Estuary, NH, USA were evaluated for pilot‐scale releases of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus Walbaum). Cultured juvenile flounder were placed in cages at each of the three sites. Sites were evaluated based on growth and survival of the fish in relation to water temperature, prey availability and sediment composition. Fish grew faster in the two upper estuarine sites BC (0.54 mm day^?1) and OR (0.56 mm day^?1) than at the site at the mouth of the estuary (NC=0.37 mm day^?1). Fish survival (44–53%) and water temperature (17.8–19.7°C) did not vary between sites. Benthic samples showed that prey was available to, and eaten by, the flounder. Sediment composition was the main difference between the three sites, with one site (NC) characterized by gravel whereas the other two sites were sandy. These results corroborate other studies showing the importance of sediment quality for the distribution of flatfish populations. From these results, we can confidently eliminate NC as a potential release area and recommend that sandy sites are better for stocking cultured juvenile winter flounder than gravely sites.