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Ladder sole (Zebrias scalaris) — Soleidae

Ladder sole

Zebrias scalaris
Family: Soleidae

The Ladder sole (Zebrias scalaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–60.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Ladder sole is a sole (Soleidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, oval, flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a striking pattern of dark, zebra-like crossbars. 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 Ladder sole?

The Ladder sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Ladder sole live?

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

How big does the Ladder sole get?

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

Is the Ladder sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Ladder 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Ladder sole sourced
Scientific name
Zebrias scalaris
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Many-band sole sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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 Zebrias

More from the family Soleidae

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