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Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) — Soleidae

Blendbanded sole

Zebrias zebra
Family: Soleidae

The Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) is a brackish-water fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific, from the Gulf of Thailand to southern Japan and Indonesia.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The zebra sole is a right-eyed sole (Soleidae) from the western Pacific, from the Gulf of Thailand to southern Japan, the Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia. The species reaches about 26 cm and has an oblong, oval body with a striking pattern of dark cross-bands on the eyed side, to which the name 'zebra' refers. Both eyes lie on the right side. It inhabits shallow sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters and feeds mainly on bottom invertebrates, especially small crustaceans. The species is marketed fresh, frozen and salt-dried.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blendbanded sole?

The Blendbanded sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Striking banded (zebra) pattern on the eyed side; right-sided sole.

Where does the Blendbanded sole live?

The Blendbanded sole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific, from the Gulf of Thailand to southern Japan and Indonesia.

How big does the Blendbanded sole get?

The Blendbanded sole grows to a maximum of about 26 cm. On average the species is around 16 cm.

Is the Blendbanded sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Blendbanded sole is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blendbanded sole edible?

Yes, the Blendbanded sole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) — Soleidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) An Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) — Soleidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) fhvc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) — Soleidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blendbanded sole (Zebrias zebra) — Soleidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blendbanded sole verified
Scientific name
Zebrias zebra
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Sole; Zebra sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Average length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific, from the Gulf of Thailand to southern Japan and Indonesia. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic crustaceans and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Striking banded (zebra) pattern on the eyed side; right-sided sole. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Zebrias

More from the family Soleidae

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