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Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) — Soleidae

Senegalese sole

Solea senegalensis
Family: Soleidae

The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–100.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Algeria, Angola, France, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Senegalese sole is a sole (Soleidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a flattened, elongate-oval body with both eyes on the right side; the upper side is brown and matches the bottom, the underside is white. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies buried by day on sand and mud bottoms and searches by night for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Senegalese sole?

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

Where does the Senegalese sole live?

The Senegalese sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Algeria, Angola, France, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal and others

How big does the Senegalese sole get?

The Senegalese sole grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Senegalese sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Senegalese 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.

Is the Senegalese sole edible?

Yes, the Senegalese sole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) — Soleidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) whodden, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) — Soleidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) — Soleidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Senegalese sole and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Senegalese sole sourced
Scientific name
Solea senegalensis
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Senegalese sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 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)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Algeria, Angola, France, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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 Solea

More from the family Soleidae

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