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Speckled sole (Peltorhamphus latus) — Pleuronectidae

Speckled sole

Peltorhamphus latus

The Speckled sole (Peltorhamphus latus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–55.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The speckled sole is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from coastal waters around New Zealand. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, brown-speckled body with both eyes on the right side and a snout hooked to the underside. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and snaps at small worms and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Speckled sole?

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

Where does the Speckled sole live?

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

How big does the Speckled sole get?

The Speckled sole grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Speckled sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled sole is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Brede Nieuw-Zeelandse tong sourced
English name
Speckled sole sourced
Scientific name
Peltorhamphus latus
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Speckled sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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 Peltorhamphus

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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