HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesFlatfishesSolesDarwin Sole Darwin Sole (Leptachirus darwinensis) Scientific name: Leptachirus darwinensis Randall, 2007 The Darwin Sole (Leptachirus darwinensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Soleidae. Native range: Oceania, Northern Territory, Australia. BiologyDorsal soft rays (total): 71-73; Anal soft rays: 53 - 56; Vertebrae: 40 - 41. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 71-73; A 53-56; pelvic rays 4; lateral-line scales 90-96; lateral line on ocular side of head with a ventral branch of 4-9 pores, remaining horizontal anterior part with 5-7 pores; vertebrae 40-41; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 8-9; body depth 3.1-3.2 in SL; no caudal peduncle; head length 4.3-4.6 in SL; small eyes, diameter 6.8-7.7 in HL; interorbital width 9.3-10.8 in HL; longest dorsal ray 1.85-1.95 in HL; caudal fin 4.1-4.35 in SL; pelvic fins and genital papilla not joined, their origins adjacent; short pelvic fins, reaching little beyond base of first anal ray, 2.75-3.05 in HL; ocular side light brown mottled with small darker brown blotches; 3 longitudinal rows of dark brown blotches of one to two eye diameters in size; dorsal and anal fins with indistinct brown spots centered on single rays and membrane to eSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLeptachirus darwinensisFamilySoleidae (Soles)OrderPleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length7.0EnvironmentFreshwater; benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionOceania: Northern Territory, Australia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026