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Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) — Pleuronectidae

Slender sole

Lyopsetta exilis
LC · Least Concern

The Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–800.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; near rocky areas and soft bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slender sole is a flatfish of the righteye flounder family (Pleuronectidae) from the north-eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 35 cm and has an oblong, rather thin, flattened body with both eyes on the right side and large scales. It occurs near rocky areas and on soft bottoms of the continental shelf. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. Flatfishes begin life symmetrical and undergo a metamorphosis in which one eye migrates to the other side. The slender sole is a good food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender sole?

The Slender sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Oblong, thin flatfish body with both eyes on the right and large scales.

Where does the Slender sole live?

The Slender sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; near rocky areas and soft bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Slender sole get?

The Slender sole grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Slender sole dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Slender sole edible?

Yes, the Slender sole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alex Bairstow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Timothy Loh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Noah Fleisher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) — Pleuronectidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender sole verified
Scientific name
Lyopsetta exilis
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Slender sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 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)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
800.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; near rocky areas and soft bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and molluscs sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Oblong, thin flatfish body with both eyes on the right and large scales. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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