Animal Profiles
Fish

Sole

Soleidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Soles are flattened fishes that rest on the seabed. This account follows the common sole, an eastern Atlantic species whose adults often feed at night on small bottom-living animals.

Common sole (Solea solea) photographed against a dark background.

Common sole (Solea solea) photographed against a dark background.

Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Solea solea is the representative described here. It occurs around the eastern Atlantic and neighbouring seas, including the Mediterranean. Shallow coastal nurseries support young fish before they move into deeper habitats.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Worms, molluscs and small crustaceans supply food.

Classification

Common name
Sole
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Soleidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Pleuronectiformes
Family
Soleidae

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Both eyes are normally on the right.
  • It can bury in sediment.
  • It often feeds at night.

Habitat and range

Solea solea is the representative described here. It occurs around the eastern Atlantic and neighbouring seas, including the Mediterranean. Shallow coastal nurseries support young fish before they move into deeper habitats.

Appearance and adaptations

The oval body is strongly flattened and asymmetrical. Both eyes normally occupy the right side of the head, although reversed individuals occur. Long fins border much of the body.

Diet and behaviour

Worms, molluscs and small crustaceans supply food. Common sole can bury themselves in sand or mud and are usually solitary. Seasonal movement can take adults into deeper water in winter.

Sources

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