Two species of megrim are found in French landings: the common megrim, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis, and the four-spot megrim, Lepidorhombus boscii.
Although their general distribution is nearly identical, the former is mainly fished in the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay, while the latter is primarily found in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, though it is also found along the Atlantic coast. Morphologically, they look exactly alike, except for the four additional small dark spots on Lepidorhombus boscii: two on its dorsal fin and two on its anal fin. This megrim is therefore covered with four spots—that’s simply where its name comes from!
The Lepidorhombus spp. family includes benthic fish that live on sandy-muddy bottoms. These species are recognizable by their flat, barely pigmented bodies. Just like their cousins, the brill and the turbot, they have their mouth and eyes on the left side of their bodies.
Although relatively unknown in France, they are a very good alternative to certain more expensive flatfish. Thanks to their firm flesh and delicate flavor, they are highly prized in Spain and are just waiting to be showcased on our tables. Be careful when cooking them—since the fillets are very thin, this fish requires very quick cooking!
Mr.Goodfish recommends the spotted flounder and the four-spot flounder in certain areas of the Northeast Atlantic, with a minimum size of 26 cm. Feel free to visit our website to learn more.
