ExploreFish

Sole

Soleidae

Sole is a flat fish that lives on the ocean floor. They have a delicate flavor and are a favorite in many dishes!

Habitat: Sandy ocean floors

Appearance

The Sole has a flat, oval-shaped body with both eyes located on one side of its head, usually the right. Its skin is typically mottled brown, grey, or sandy to perfectly blend with the seafloor.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPleuronectiformesFamilySoleidae

Sole

Interesting facts

Many sole species can squirt jets of water from their mouths to uncover hidden prey!

Most sole prefer to lie on their left side, with both eyes looking up from the right.

Sole fish use special taste buds on their fins to 'sniff out' food buried in the sand.

Their flat bodies help them squeeze into tiny spaces on the seafloor to hide.

Special abilities

Sole can change their skin color and pattern to match the seabed, helping them disappear from predators.

Sole can quickly bury themselves in sand or mud, hiding completely from plain sight.

Sole are born with eyes on opposite sides, but one eye moves to the other side as they grow.

Measurements & details

Length: 20-70 cm
Weight: 0.1-3 kg
Lifespan: 5-20 years
Swim Speed: 5 km/h
Max Depth: 200 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Sole are expert hunters, feasting on small worms, crustaceans, and shellfish found in the seafloor.

Primary Foods

polychaete worms
small crustaceans
bivalve mollusks
amphipods

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Atlantic Cod

Gadus morhua

A common predator of many sole species.

eaten by

Small-spotted catshark

Scyliorhinus canicula

Hunts flatfish like sole on the seabed.

eats

Ragworm

Hediste diversicolor

A primary food source for sole, dug from the sand.

eats

Common shrimp

Crangon crangon

Sole forage for these small crustaceans on the seafloor.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Colorful

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Piscivorous

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Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.