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Black sole (Brachirus niger) — Soleidae

Black sole

Brachirus niger
Family: Soleidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black sole (Brachirus niger) is a brackish-water fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black sole is a sole (Soleidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an oval, strongly flattened, dark-brown to blackish body with both eyes on one side, characteristic of flatfishes. It inhabits mud bottoms of coastal rivers, estuaries and shallow inshore waters, where it partly buries itself in the sediment. On the bottom it feeds on small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The flesh is of excellent quality, making it a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black sole?

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

Where does the Black sole live?

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

How big does the Black sole get?

The Black sole grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Black sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Black sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Black sole edible?

Yes, the Black sole is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte tong sourced
English name
Black sole verified
Scientific name
Brachirus niger
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Black sole; Sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
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 Brachirus

More from the family Soleidae

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