Common sole

This article is about the sole found in the north Atlantic. Not to be confused with the Pacific Dover sole Microstomus pacificus.

Common sole
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Carangiformes
Family: Soleidae
Genus: Solea
Species:
S. solea
Binomial name
Solea solea
Synonyms
  • Pleuronectes solea Linnaeus, 1758
  • Solea vulgaris Quensel, 1806
Common sole camouflaged in the sand.

The common sole, Dover sole, or black sole (Solea solea) is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae. It is one of the largest fish in the Solea genus. It lives on the sandy or muddy seabed of the northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea where it often partially immerses itself in the substrate. The upper side is greyish-brown while the underside is white. It grows to a maximum length of about 70 cm (28 in). The species is prized as a food fish, being caught mostly by trawling on the seabed.

  1. ^ Tous, P.; Sidibe, A.; Mbye, E.; de Morais, L.; Camara, Y.H.; Adeofe, T.A.; Monroe, T.; Camara, K.; Cissoko, K.; Djiman, R.; Sagna, A.; Sylla, M. (2015). "Solea solea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T198739A15595369. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T198739A15595369.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.