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Atlantic sole (Pegusa lascaris) — Soleidae

Atlantic sole

Pegusa lascaris
Family: Soleidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic sole (Pegusa lascaris) is a brackish-water fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–350.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The sand sole is a right-eyed sole of the family Soleidae reaching about 40 cm. The eyed side is brownish-yellow to reddish-brown with faint pale blotches, and the pectoral fin bears a black spot with a white margin. A distinctive feature is the anterior nostril on the blind side, enlarged into a conspicuous rosette-shaped structure. The sand sole lives on sand, gravel and mud bottoms of the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, usually between 20 and 50 m. It feeds on small shellfish, crustaceans and worms. The sand sole is a highly prized food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic sole?

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

Where does the Atlantic sole live?

The Atlantic sole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Atlantic sole get?

The Atlantic sole grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Atlantic sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic sole edible?

Yes, the Atlantic sole is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zandtong verified
English name
Atlantic sole verified
Scientific name
Pegusa lascaris
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Atlantic sole; French sole; Lascar; Sand sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded sourced
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
15 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pegusa

More from the family Soleidae

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