Overview
Very camouflaged flatfish, bottom predator that hides in sand waiting for prey.
Identification
Flat bodyEyes on the left sideLarge mouthRounded pectoral finsNo scalesRough surfaceDark spotsCamouflage ability
- Body
- The Turbot is a flatfish with an elongated disc-shaped body and lacks scales over most of its surface.
- Colouration
- The coloring is brown with dark spots, capable of camouflaging with the seabed.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not prominent
- Growth
- medium
Taxonomy
- Family
- Scophthalmidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Scophthalmus rhombusPsetta maximaLepidorhombus bosciiLepidorhombus whiffiagonisCitharus linguatula
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the northeastern Atlantic coasts, from European seas to the island of Iceland and in the waters of the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides in the sand or mud, often partially buried, waiting for prey on the seafloor.
Prefers well-oxygenated waters without strong turbulence.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu BalticoPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- smaller fish, crustaceans, mollusks
- Secondary prey
- cephalopods, annelids, echinoderms
- Occasional prey
- algae, organic debris
- Feeding behaviour
- The Turbot prefers ambush hunting, quickly darting from its hidden position to capture prey.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large predatory fish, seals, dolphins
The diet varies significantly with age, from small planktonic organisms to larger fish.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- residential
- Seasonal behaviour
- Does not migrate significantly but moves to deeper waters in winter.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to stay in shallower, more protected waters.
- Adults
- Adults prefer deeper waters where they hide waiting for prey.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic and floating eggs, invisible due to transparency, about 1 mm in diameter.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and drift with currents until developing their characteristic flat body.
- Sexual maturity
- 4-5 years
When to catch Turbot
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, autumn and winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active, moves to hunt small fish.
Medium
Regular activity on the bottom.
High
Stays still and camouflaged.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: low
Where to catch it
Best spots
coastal sandy bottomsmuddy areasunderwater channelsnear rocky formations
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
gillnettingtrawlingbottom fishinglonglining
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoBolentinoBolentino MedioBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentino LeggeroDriftingPesca A Fondo LeggeraSurfcastingSurfcasting LeggeroSurfcasting Medio
Recommended baits
shrimpcuttlefishsquid ringsfish chunks
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitPaddle tail softbaitShad softbaitBucktail jigShrimp artificiale (gomma)
Medium
Gambero vivoPesciolino vivoSardina vivaStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaPezzo di pesceSeppia morta
High
ArenicolaVerme americanoVerme coreanoBigattinoEsca naturale (generica)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- When hooked, the Turbot puts up moderate resistance, using the current and its flattened shape to oppose the angler.
- Handling
- Use wet cloths to hold it steady and avoid damaging its scaleless skin.
- Release
- Ensure the fish is intact and lively; gently release near the seabed.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for Turbot is 18.8 kg, caught in the Bay of Biscay, Spain, in 1982. In Italy, Turbot specimens can reach up to 15 kg, especially along the Adriatic coast.
- In the kitchen
- Used in numerous traditional recipes like baked Turbot with potatoes and Mediterranean herbs.
- Cultural notes
- The Turbot is often featured in fairy tales and stories as a magical fish that grants wishes.
- Historical notes
- The Turbot has been fished since ancient times for its prized flesh, highly valued by Roman nobles.
