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Klein's sole (Synapturichthys kleinii) — Soleidae

Klein's sole

Synapturichthys kleinii
Family: Soleidae
LC · Least Concern

The Klein's sole (Synapturichthys kleinii) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–460.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Klein's sole is a tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae reaching about 40 cm. Like the true sole it lies on its side with both eyes on the right side, which is brownish with a fine marbled or lace-like pattern; the pectoral fin often bears one or two dark spots. The rounded snout and the continuous fin fringe around the body are typical of the soles. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from tens to several hundred metres. On the bottom it eats worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. With its fine flesh it is a valued food fish, mainly as bycatch of the sole fishery.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Klein's sole?

The Klein's sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Klein's sole live?

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

How big does the Klein's sole get?

The Klein's sole grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Klein's sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Klein's sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Klein's sole edible?

Yes, the Klein's sole is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kanttong inferred
English name
Klein's sole verified
Scientific name
Synapturichthys kleinii
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Klein's sole; Lace sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
460.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen vanaf boot met zeepier of garnaal; vooral als bijvangst bij de tongvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Soleidae

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