Plaice

D-Scholle; GB-Plaice; DK-Rødspætte; PL-Gładzica; LT-Jūrinė plekšnė; LV-Jūras zeltplekste; EST-Atlandi merilest; RU-Морская камбала; FIN-Punakampela; S-Rödspätta

Characters

1) Mouth small (about as long as diameter of eye).
2) 4 to 7 bony tubercles in one row from the space between the eyes to the lateral line of the body.
3) Lateral line straight without bony tubercles.
4) Long caudal peduncle.
●) Both eyes on the right side of body.
●) Body surface brownish to greyish with distinct orange spots; blind side white.
Usually 30 to 40 cm, max. up to 60 cm length.

Similar species

Flounder - bony tubercles on the basis of dorsal and anal fins; surface rather rough (vs. smooth in flounder).

Common dab - lateral line above pectoral fin strongly curved; no bony tubercles posterior of eye.

Lemon sole - short caudal peduncle; no bony tubercles posterior of eye.

Long rough dab - mouth larger; no bony tubercles posterior of eye.

Biology

Bottom-living on sandy and mixed grounds down to 100m (seldom down to 200 m) depth. Change from the pelagic larva to the bottom life occurs at the age of 1 to 2 month. Life expectancy up to 50 years.

Diet

Feeds especially on mussels, snails and worms; older individuals also feed on small fish.

Importance

Commercially most important flatfish in Europe; well-liked food fish; also grown in aquaculture.