Sole, Dungeness beach
The Sole (Solea solea) can grow to 40 cm.
Identification[]
The sole has an elliptical outline, a rounded snout and a curved mouth. The nasal openings are on the white underside. A very important diagnostic feature is the black spot on the upper pectoral fin - it is not only a diffent shape to that of the sand sole, but will distinguish baby sole from solenette, which have no such black spot.
Breeding[]
Spawning takes place in spring (off southern England) or early summer (southern North Sea). Females each release around 100,000 eggs in shallow waters, and the young migrate to the bottom after metamorphosis (12-15 cm). Soles reach maturity at 3-5 years (25-30 cm).
Habitat[]
Soles inhabit shallow sandy waters, where they lie buried by day, emerging at night to feed.
Food: Food consists of small invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans and bivalve molluscs.
Range[]
The sole ranges throughout British waters, but is more common in the south.
Additional Notes[]
The sole is a valuable commercial fish, commonly taken along with plaice by beam trawl fleets.
References[]
The Aquarium Project