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Threeeye sole (Pegusa triophthalma) — Soleidae

Threeeye sole

Pegusa triophthalma
Family: Soleidae
LC · Least Concern

The Threeeye sole (Pegusa triophthalma) is a saltwater fish of the family Soleidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The threeeye sole is an oval sole of the family Soleidae (true soles) reaching about 30 cm. The elongate-oval body has a rounded snout and both eyes on the right side; the small mouth is inferior. The brown upper side bears a few conspicuous dark, pale-edged eyespots (hence the name), which help mislead predators. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf along the West African coast, often half-buried. On the bottom it searches, mainly at night, for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. With its fine flesh the threeeye sole is a valued commercial fish, related to the well-known common sole.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threeeye sole?

The Threeeye sole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Threeeye sole live?

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

How big does the Threeeye sole get?

The Threeeye sole grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Threeeye sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Threeeye sole is harmless to humans.

Is the Threeeye sole edible?

Yes, the Threeeye sole is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Drieoog-tong inferred
English name
Threeeye sole verified
Scientific name
Pegusa triophthalma
Family
Soleidae
Other names
Cyclope sole sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
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 Pegusa

More from the family Soleidae

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