AMIGANSEAU Explorer – Personal
Strictly for private and family use.
This profile is available under the personal licence. Any professional, commercial, association, institutional or training use requires an appropriate licence.
DORIS recommends our site’s innovative, playful and interactive approach for taking your first steps in underwater biology.
DORIS is the reference website for underwater biology. It aims to record, illustrate and describe as many common and rare species as possible that can be seen while diving or along the shore in mainland and overseas French waters.
In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean
On a sandy seabed, the Common sole often goes unnoticed because its camouflage is so effective. This flatfish, with both eyes on the same side, moves slowly in search of small buried prey. Its outline often appears only as it moves away.
Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Detrital bottom
Depth
10-200 m
Group
Benthic fish
Role
Predator
This level has not yet been published in this language. The French content is displayed.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The Common sole is a flatfish with an oval, flattened body perfectly adapted to life on the seabed. Its colouring varies from brown to grey, often marbled, allowing it to blend into sand. Both eyes are on the same side of its body. Its small, slightly curved mouth is offset and faces downwards, ideal for feeding in sediment.
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 mainly feeds on small animals living in sediment, such as worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. It searches the bottom with its mouth to catch prey.
GO FURTHER WITH AMIGANSEAU
Unlock the full profile
Deepen your knowledge with the exclusive chapters and interactive resources included in an AMIGANSEAU licence.
After recognising a marine species, watch it in its environment in the diving videos. Articles and learning paths help you understand its habitat and its relationships with other organisms; games help you remember your discoveries.