West coast sole (Austroglossus microlepis)

Scientific name: Austroglossus microlepis Bleeker, 1863

West coast sole (Austroglossus microlepis)

The West coast sole (Austroglossus microlepis) is a marine fish of the family Soleidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, northern Namibia to False Bay, South Africa.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 82-100; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 65 - 78; Vertebrae: 55 - 57. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with caudal fin. Right pectoral fin more than half of, but shorter than head length; left pectoral fin present. Brownish with small dark specks; sometimes with bars on body.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Austroglossus microlepis
Family
Soleidae (Soles)
Order
Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
75.0
Depth range
100–400 m (328–1312 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 100 - 400 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: northern Namibia to False Bay, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.07)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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