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Peculiar sole (Aseraggodes xenicus) — Soleidae

Peculiar sole

Aseraggodes xenicus
Family: Soleidae

The Peculiar sole (Aseraggodes xenicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–10.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Japan, Mozambique, Marshall Is., South Africa and others

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Description

The Peculiar sole is a small sole (Soleidae) from shallow coastal and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a flattened, oval body with both eyes on the right side; the upper side is brown speckled, the underside white. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried on sand and mud bottoms and snaps at small worms and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peculiar sole?

The Peculiar sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Peculiar sole live?

The Peculiar sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Japan, Mozambique, Marshall Is., South Africa and others

How big does the Peculiar sole get?

The Peculiar sole grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Peculiar sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Peculiar 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
Peculiar sole sourced
Scientific name
Aseraggodes xenicus
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Dwarf sole; Smith's sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, French Polynesia, Japan, Mozambique, Marshall Is., South Africa and others 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Aseraggodes

More from the family Soleidae

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