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Deepsea sole (Embassichthys bathybius) — Pleuronectidae

Deepsea sole

Embassichthys bathybius

The Deepsea sole (Embassichthys bathybius) is a fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific; continental slope in deep water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The deepsea sole is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from the northern Pacific. As a right-eyed flatfish it lies on its left side on the bottom, with both eyes on the upward-facing right flank; it has a handsomely marbled upper side. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of the continental slope in great depth. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small bottom invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepsea sole?

The Deepsea sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Right-eyed flatfish with a marbled upper side; bottom hunter of the deep continental slope.

Where does the Deepsea sole live?

The Deepsea sole is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific; continental slope in deep water.

How big does the Deepsea sole get?

The Deepsea sole grows to a maximum of about 47 cm. On average the species is around 32 cm.

Is the Deepsea sole dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Deepsea sole edible?

The Deepsea sole is rarely eaten.

More photos

Deepsea sole (Embassichthys bathybius) — Pleuronectidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Lee Cain (CC BY 3.0)
Deepsea sole (Embassichthys bathybius) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dr Cherisse Du Preez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deepsea sole (Embassichthys bathybius) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Fisheries and Oceans Canada, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Deepsea sole sourced
Scientific name
Embassichthys bathybius
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Deep-sea sole

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Average length (cm)
32.0 sourced
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North Pacific; continental slope in deep water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans 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
Right-eyed flatfish with a marbled upper side; bottom hunter of the deep continental slope. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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