Overview
Very camouflaged flatfish, mainly active at night, loves sandy and muddy bottoms.
Identification
Flat, oval bodyEyes on the right sideContinuous dorsal finBroad anal finNo lateral line on clear surfaceEffective camouflagingSmall, arched mouth
- Body
- Flat and elongated body, with eyes on one side.
- Colouration
- Brown coloration with darker spots for effective camouflage.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable.
- Growth
- Moderate, with significant growth in early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Soleidae
- Order
- Pleuronectiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Hippoglossoides platessoidesPleuronectes platessaMicrostomus kittLimanda limandaSolea senegalensis
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, estuaries
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Northeast Atlantic, from the Baltic Sea to the coasts of Morocco, and in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides in sandy or muddy bottoms to avoid predators.
Prefers stable bottoms where it can easily camouflage and feed.
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
- crustaceans, annelids, small mollusks
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, polychaetes, organic detritus
- Occasional prey
- fish larvae, plankton
- Feeding behaviour
- Foreages on sandy bottoms, capturing prey living in sediment.
- Natural predators
- congers, cuttlefish, eel pouts
Feeding is limited in winter due to decreased prey availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Sedentary, but undergoes seasonal vertical migrations.
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active at night during warmer months, less active in colder months.
- Juveniles
- Young prefer shallow waters and coastal cover.
- Adults
- Adults tend to remain in deeper, open areas.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 30 and 130 feet
- Eggs
- Pelagic, small eggs that float in surface waters.
- Larval stage
- Larvae initially bilateral, undergo metamorphosis with eyes shifting to one side.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Common sole
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daytramonto
Nightnotte, tarda sera
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 and less suspicious.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays still on the bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: low
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy areasriver mouthsmuddy bottomssand bars
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trawl netbottom longlinehand line fishinggill nets
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentinoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioDriftingPesca A Fondo LeggeraSurfcastingSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
shrimpartificial baitspieces of molluskmarine worms
Baits by pressure
Low
ArenicolaBibiGambero morto / Gambero
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoStriscia di calamaro
High
ArenicolaBibiVerme americanoVerme coreanoBeach wormBigattinoCannolicchio
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Usually does not put up much of a fight when caught.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging delicate skin.
- Release
- Release gently near the bottom to minimize predation risk.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The Sole can reach up to about 28 inches and weigh about 6.6 lbs. The largest documented catches typically occur in the North Sea.
- In the kitchen
- Celebrated in Italian cuisine, often cooked à la Meunière or stewed with potatoes.
- Cultural notes
- The Sole is often referenced in literature as a symbol of camouflage and adaptability.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished since ancient times, the Sole has always been valued for its delicate flesh.
