Home · Achiridae · Duméril's freshwater sole
Duméril's freshwater sole (Apionichthys dumerili) — Achiridae

Duméril's freshwater sole

Apionichthys dumerili
Family: Achiridae

The Duméril's freshwater sole (Apionichthys dumerili) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Achiridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.1 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad Tobago, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Duméril's freshwater sole?

Get the app

Description

The Duméril's freshwater sole is an American freshwater sole (Achiridae) from lower river reaches and estuaries of northern South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a round to oval, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a brown mottled upper side for camouflage. As a bottom-bound fish it lies half-buried in sand and mud and searches for small worms, crustaceans and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Duméril's freshwater sole?

The Duméril's freshwater sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Duméril's freshwater sole live?

The Duméril's freshwater sole lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad Tobago, Venezuela

How big does the Duméril's freshwater sole get?

The Duméril's freshwater sole grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Duméril's freshwater sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Duméril's freshwater 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.

Is the Duméril's freshwater sole edible?

Yes, the Duméril's freshwater sole is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Duméril's freshwater sole?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Duméril's freshwater sole is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Duméril's freshwater sole sourced
Scientific name
Apionichthys dumerili
Family
Achiridae
Other names
Longtail sole; Flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.1 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad Tobago, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

Same genus Apionichthys

More from the family Achiridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Duméril's freshwater sole?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Duméril's freshwater sole is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Duméril's freshwater sole? Get the app