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Freshwater sole (Brachirus panoides) — Soleidae

Freshwater sole

Brachirus panoides
Family: Soleidae

The Freshwater sole (Brachirus panoides) is a brackish-water fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand

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Description

The Freshwater sole is a sole (Soleidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine and sometimes fresh water of the rivers of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a finely marbled, brown upper side for camouflage. As a bottom-bound fish it lies half-buried by day and searches for small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater sole?

The Freshwater sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Freshwater sole live?

The Freshwater sole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Freshwater sole get?

The Freshwater sole grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Freshwater sole dangerous to humans?

No, the 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.

More photos

Freshwater sole (Brachirus panoides) — Soleidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Freshwater sole (Brachirus panoides) — Soleidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
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All data

Identification

English name
Freshwater sole sourced
Scientific name
Brachirus panoides
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Sole sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand 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
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 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 Brachirus

More from the family Soleidae

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