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Bamboo sole (Heteromycteris japonicus) — Soleidae

Bamboo sole

Heteromycteris japonicus
Family: Soleidae

The Bamboo sole (Heteromycteris japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bamboo sole is a sole (Soleidae) from shallow sandy and estuarine water of the northwest Pacific around Japan. 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 in sand and mud and searches for small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bamboo sole?

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

Where does the Bamboo sole live?

The Bamboo sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bamboo sole get?

The Bamboo sole grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Bamboo sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Bamboo sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Bamboo sole edible?

Yes, the Bamboo sole is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse tongschar sourced
English name
Bamboo sole sourced
Scientific name
Heteromycteris japonicus
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Bamboo sole verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Heteromycteris

More from the family Soleidae

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