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Lined sole (Achirus lineatus) — Achiridae

Lined sole

Achirus lineatus
Family: Achiridae
LC · Least Concern

The Lined sole (Achirus lineatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Achiridae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33.1 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The lined sole (Achirus lineatus) is a small flatfish of the family Achiridae from the western Atlantic. Like other American soles both eyes lie on the right side of the oval, strongly flattened body, which is brown-mottled with fine dark lines for excellent camouflage. The species reaches about 33 cm and lives mainly in brackish or hypersaline lagoons and on sandy-mud bottoms of estuaries and the littoral zone, where it buries itself leaving just the eyes exposed. As a bottom dweller it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The species is marketed fresh and is of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lined sole?

The Lined sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Lined sole live?

The Lined sole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Lined sole get?

The Lined sole grows to a maximum of about 33 cm. On average the species is around 17 cm.

Is the Lined sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Lined sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Lined sole edible?

Yes, the Lined sole is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte Amerikaanse tong sourced
English name
Lined sole verified
Scientific name
Achirus lineatus
Family
Achiridae
Other names
Lined Sole; Lined sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.1 verified
Average length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Achirus

More from the family Achiridae

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