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Common sole

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

In the southern North Sea lies an area known as the Silver Pit. Its name recalls the valuable catches of sole once made there during particularly cold winters. As coastal waters cooled, the fish moved into deeper, less cold areas, where fishermen could encounter them in considerable numbers.

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Habitat of Common sole Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Detrital bottom
Depth range of Common sole Depth
10-200 m
Biological group of Common sole Group
Ecological role of Common sole Role
Predator

Average size

15 cm

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

A dark patch on the little fin behind the head adds detail to the Dover sole (Solea solea). It lies towards the upper rear of this pectoral fin, the side fin close to the head.

The body is a flattened brown to grey, mottled oval, with both eyes on one side. A rounded snout, a small curved mouth and often a dark fringe at the tail tip complete the outline.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on soft seabeds, mainly sand or mud, where it can partly bury itself for concealment. It occurs from shallow water down to several tens of metres.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The common sole searches for food using smell and tactile contact around the snout. Sensory papillae help locate small seabed animals, then the mouth takes them. Meals include worms, crustaceans and molluscs. Activity is mainly nocturnal, when movement close to sediment can represent food searching. Hidden prey need not be visible to be detected. Capture itself is often subtle, occurring against the seabed beneath the front of the body.

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Common sole

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Other species — Benthic fish

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Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Gravel seabed species Detrital seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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