Soles

Name

Soles (Soleidae)

Size

Soles measure about 30 cm on average.

Identification

Soles have flattened bodies that are leaf-like in shape. Up to the tail fins, their bodies are surrounded by the dorsal, anal and pectoral fins. They are well camouflaged with brown, black, yellow and blue lines and blotches. Their undersides are not pigmented.

General Info

Soles belong to the Soleidae family which comprises of 27 genera and 135 species. They are bilaterally symmetric, having eyes on both sides wot the head. As soon as larvae settle on the bottom, the left eye moves to the top. They are bottom-dwelling creatures and cover themselves in the sand to catch their prey by surprise. They are pelagic spawners.

Feeding

Soles feed on other fish and invertebrates.

Distribution

They can be found in all tropical and temperate oceans across the world.

Common Species

Moses sole - Pardachirus marmoratus
Peacock sole - Pardachirus pavoninus
Sand tonguefish - Cynoglossus capensis