Senegalese tonguesole
📖 Overview
Found on sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters , including estuaries and fresh water lagoons . Feeds on (lamelibranch) mollusks, shrimps, crabs and fish . Sold as frozen filet under the name 'filets de sole' .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 119 - 125; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 93 - 99. Diagnosis: body flat and elongate; snout broadly rounded, its rostral hook rather short, extending to level of anterior nostril; angle of mouth extending backwards beyond level of lower eye . Eyes small and placed on left side of head and, unusual for cynoglossids, eyes well separated from each other, separated by wide interorbital space . Ctenoid scales on eyed side and cycloid scales on blind side; 12 caudal fin rays . 2, sometimes 3, lateral lines on eyed side and a single one on blind side . 89 - 138 tubular mid-lateral line scales. Generally 17-18, exceptionally 16 or 19, transversal scales between mid-lateral line and margino-dorsal lateral line . Colouration: eyed side more or less uniformly brown, with greenish reflections in life; opercular region often blackish; blind side whitish . Sometimes black spot present at bases of posterior anal and dorsal fin rays; fins often spotted .Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Senegalese tonguesole is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 110 m . Tropical; 22°N - 18°S, 18°W - 14°E
🌿 Ecology
(lamelibranch) mollusks, shrimps, crabs and fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Senegalese tonguesole is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 104 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Senegalese tonguesole has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | large tonguesole · Senegalese tonguesole |
| 🇩🇪German | Senegalesische Hundszunge |
| 🇫🇷French | sole-langue sénégalaise |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Senegalese hondstong |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Сенегальский косорот |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arelia senegalensis | Kaup | 1858 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus goreensis | Steindachner | 1882 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus guineensis | Osório | 1909 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus senegalensis simulator | Chabanaud | 1949 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 716 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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