Common sole
D-Seezunge; GB-Common sole, Dover sole, black sole; DK-Søtunge; PL-Sola zwyczajna; EST-Søtunge; RU-Европейская солея; FIN-Meriantura; S-Sjötunga
Characters
1) Mouth inferior.
2) Both eyes on the right body side.
●) Fringe-like attachments on the mouth.
●) Pectoral fin developed normally on the blind side and often with a black border.
●) Eye side dark brown; blind side white.
Often 20 to 35 cm, max. up to 70 cm length.
Similar species
Solenette - much reduced pectoral fin on the blind side (only 1 to 2 fin rays); distinct pattern of stripes on the dorsal and anal fins.
Witch - mouth terminal; dorsal fin beginns only above the eye (vs. in front in common sole).
Biology
Bottom-living on soft grounds down to 150 m depth. Spawns in spring in shallow waters (in about 40 m depth); 150.000 eggs per female. Young fish change after 4 to 6 weeks from the pelagic way of life to the bottom life. Young individuals life near the shore and also migrate into lower reaches of the rivers.Diet
They feed on bottom-living crustaceans, worms and thin-shelled mussels.Importance
Important, well-liked food-fish.Endangerment
Heavily fished.Solea solea
