Home · Pleuronectidae · Longfin sole
Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) — Pleuronectidae

Longfin sole

Glyptocephalus zachirus
LC · Least Concern

The Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–900.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; sandy and muddy bottoms.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Longfin sole?

Get the app

Description

The rex sole is a righteye flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate, oval, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a long pectoral fin on the eyed side. It is a slow-growing species living on sand and mud bottoms, where it buries itself. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans. It is often processed as bycatch. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin sole?

The Longfin sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Elongate right-eyed flatfish with a long pectoral fin; slow-growing, buries itself.

Where does the Longfin sole live?

The Longfin sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; sandy and muddy bottoms.

How big does the Longfin sole get?

The Longfin sole grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 36 cm.

Is the Longfin sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin sole is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Longfin sole edible?

The Longfin sole is rarely eaten.

More photos

Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Braden J. Judson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Karen L. Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) JA Fields, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) — Pleuronectidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alex Bairstow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin sole?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Longfin sole verified
Scientific name
Glyptocephalus zachirus
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Long-finned sole; Rex sole; Witch verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
900.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; sandy and muddy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms, crustaceans and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
27.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Elongate right-eyed flatfish with a long pectoral fin; slow-growing, buries itself. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glyptocephalus

More from the family Pleuronectidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin sole?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Longfin sole? Get the app