Home · Achiridae · Flabby sole
Flabby sole (Gymnachirus nudus) — Achiridae

Flabby sole

Gymnachirus nudus
Family: Achiridae
LC · Least Concern

The Flabby sole (Gymnachirus nudus) is a saltwater fish of the family Achiridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The naked sole is a small flatfish of the American sole family (Achiridae) from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a nearly scaleless skin, to which its name refers; the eyed side bears narrow dark crossbars. It lives on soft sand and mud bottoms, where it hides half-buried. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small benthic invertebrates. Owing to its small size the species is of little fishery interest and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flabby sole?

The Flabby sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Flabby sole live?

The Flabby sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flabby sole get?

The Flabby sole grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Flabby sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Flabby sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Flabby sole edible?

The Flabby sole is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Naakte zandtong sourced
English name
Flabby sole verified
Scientific name
Gymnachirus nudus
Family
Achiridae
Other names
Naked sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 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
Not 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 Gymnachirus

More from the family Achiridae

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