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Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) — Soleidae

Banded sole

Soleichthys heterorhinos
Family: Soleidae

The Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others

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Description

The banded sole is a sole (Soleidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a flattened, elongate body with both eyes on the right side and a striking pattern of dark and light crossbands; by rippling its fin margin it can mimic a toxic flatworm. As a bottom-dweller it lies on sand and reef bottoms and snaps at worms and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded sole?

The Banded sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded sole live?

The Banded sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others

How big does the Banded sole get?

The Banded sole grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Banded sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded sole is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) — Soleidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) — Soleidae — 3
Andy (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) — Soleidae — 4
wild___max (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Banded sole (Soleichthys heterorhinos) — Soleidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded sole sourced
Scientific name
Soleichthys heterorhinos
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Aesop sole; Banded sole; Black-tip sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Soleidae

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