Home · Pleuronectidae · Petrale sole
Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) — Pleuronectidae

Petrale sole

Eopsetta jordani

The Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–550 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Petrale sole?

Description

The petrale sole is a large flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from cold coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 53 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, olive-brown body with both eyes on the right side and a fairly large mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and hunts small fish, crustaceans and worms. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Petrale sole?

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

Where does the Petrale sole live?

The Petrale sole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska

How big does the Petrale sole get?

The Petrale sole grows to a maximum of about 53 cm. On average the species is around 43 cm.

Is the Petrale sole dangerous to humans?

No, the Petrale sole is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Petrale sole edible?

Yes, the Petrale sole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) linddealy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Christian Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) coltonfishing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) — Pleuronectidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Craig Bianchi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Want the complete picture on the Petrale sole?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Petrale sole is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Petrale sole sourced
Scientific name
Eopsetta jordani
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Brill; Petrale sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53 verified
Average length (cm)
42.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
550 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA, Alaska sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
35 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Eopsetta

More from the family Pleuronectidae

Want the complete picture on the Petrale sole?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Petrale sole is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Petrale sole?