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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Common sole

Distribution : Mediterranean · 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 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

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.

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Common sole

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Other species — Benthic fish

Kolombatovic’s Goby Red-mouthed Goby Large-scaled Goby Pore-cheeked Goby Wide-eyed flounder Red Bandfish Striped Goby Sand snake eel

Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Gravel seabed species Detrital seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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