Drab sole (Achirus achirus)

Scientific name: Achirus achirus Linnaeus, 1758

The Drab sole (Achirus achirus) is a freshwater fish of the family Achiridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–28°C (77–82°F). Native range: Western Central Atlantic, from the Gulf of Paria to the mouth of the Amazon river.

Drab sole care at a glance

Temperature: 25–28°C (77–82°F)

Biology

Adults occur in the littoral zone, down to 20 m depth, and on all sandy-muddy bottoms of estuaries, rivers and coastal streams where it penetrates far enough sometimes. They hide completely in the sediment, leaving out its eyes, in order to look out for predators and prey. Feed on small crustaceans and fish. Reproduction is like to occur between July and September. Maximum length reported to reach 37 cm TL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Achirus achirus
Family: Achiridae (American soles)
Order: Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 37.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 20 m (66 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range ? - 20 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Central Atlantic: from the Gulf of Paria to the mouth of the Amazon river.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)