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Macao Sole (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) — Cynoglossidae

Macao Sole

Cynoglossus macrolepidotus
Family: Cynoglossidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Macao Sole (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 39 cm.

Length
39.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The largescale tonguesole is a tonguesole (Cynoglossidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a strongly flattened, tongue-shaped body with both eyes on the left side and relatively large scales, to which the name refers; the dorsal, caudal and anal fins merge into a continuous fringe. It inhabits soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries, where it partly buries itself. On the bottom it feeds on small worms and invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Macao Sole?

The Macao Sole has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Tongue-shaped, left-eyed flatfish with large scales and a continuous fin fringe.

Where does the Macao Sole live?

The Macao Sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries.

How big does the Macao Sole get?

The Macao Sole grows to a maximum of about 39 cm.

Is the Macao Sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Macao Sole is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Macao Sole edible?

Yes, the Macao Sole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Macao Sole (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) — Cynoglossidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Macao Sole (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) — Cynoglossidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Suzini (Public domain)
Macao Sole (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) — Cynoglossidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Niran Anurakpongsathorn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Macao Sole verified
Scientific name
Cynoglossus macrolepidotus
Family
Cynoglossidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small worms and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Tongue-shaped, left-eyed flatfish with large scales and a continuous fin fringe. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cynoglossus

More from the family Cynoglossidae

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