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Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) — Pleuronectidae

Yellowfin sole

Limanda aspera

The Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 49 cm.

Length
49 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–700.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The yellowfin sole is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 49 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, brown body with both eyes on the right side and yellowish fin margins. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and hunts small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowfin sole?

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

Where does the Yellowfin sole live?

The Yellowfin sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska

How big does the Yellowfin sole get?

The Yellowfin sole grows to a maximum of about 49 cm. On average the species is around 34 cm.

Is the Yellowfin sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowfin 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 Yellowfin sole edible?

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

More photos

Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowfin sole sourced
Scientific name
Limanda aspera
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Pacific sole; Yellowfin sole; Northern sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
49.0 verified
Average length (cm)
33.5 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
700.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Canada, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized 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 Limanda

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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