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Northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) — Pleuronectidae

Northern rock sole

Lepidopsetta polyxystra

The Northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 69 cm.

Length
69 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–700.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Northern rock sole is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a flattened, oval body with both eyes on the right side; the upper side is brown with a rough skin that matches the bottom, the underside is white. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried on sand and gravel bottoms and snaps at worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Northern rock sole?

The Northern rock sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Northern rock sole live?

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

How big does the Northern rock sole get?

The Northern rock sole grows to a maximum of about 69 cm.

Is the Northern rock sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Northern rock sole is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke rotstong sourced
English name
Northern rock sole sourced
Scientific name
Lepidopsetta polyxystra
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Northern rock sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
69.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
700.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
18.0 verified

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Lepidopsetta

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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