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Bastard sole (Microchirus azevia) — Soleidae

Bastard sole

Microchirus azevia
Family: Soleidae

The Bastard sole (Microchirus azevia) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–250.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bastard sole is a sole (Soleidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a flattened, elongate-oval body with both eyes on the right side; the upper side is brown with dark bands over the fin margins, the underside white. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lies buried by day on sand and mud bottoms and searches by night for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bastard sole?

The Bastard sole has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bastard sole live?

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

How big does the Bastard sole get?

The Bastard sole grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Bastard sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Bastard sole is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Azevia-tong sourced
English name
Bastard sole sourced
Scientific name
Microchirus azevia
Family
Soleidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Microchirus

More from the family Soleidae

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