Portuguese sole
📖 Overview
Found on sand or mud bottoms in shallow waters, from the shore to 60 m . No information available on diet or reproduction . Maximum depth from Ref. 122917.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 73 - 83; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 57 - 67. Diagnosis: body oval, elongate, flat and asymmetric , hind part tapering . Eyes located on right side of head, except in reversed individuals . Upper eye its own diameter or more from dorsal profile of head; anterior nostril on blind side not enlarged; anterior nostril on eyed side with backward-pointing tube not reaching front border of lower eye . Preopercle covered by skin and opercle entirely scaled; mouth arched and inferior; dorsal and anal fins lacking spinous rays and confluent with caudal fin, no distinct caudal peduncle; last dorsal and anal rays not shorter than preceding rays and broadly united to outer caudal rays; dorsal fin originating on anterior profile of head; pectoral fins present on both sides with 6-10 rays; straight part of lateral line visible, supratemporal part slightly arched above eyes; body covered with ctenoid scales . : other (see Diagnosis; Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Portuguese sole is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 125 m . Tropical; 21°N - 18°S, 19°W - 14°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Portuguese sole 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 | 17.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 122 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Portuguese sole 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 | Portuguese sole · Sole |
| 🏳️Catalan | llenguado portuguès |
| 🇫🇷French | Lenguado Portugués · Sole de Roche · Sole Perdrix · sole ruardon commune · Sole-ruardon commune |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | lenguado portugués · Linguado Tigra |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synaptura lusitanica | de Brito Capello | 1868 | Synonym |
| Synaptura lusitanica lusitanica | de Brito Capello | 1868 | Synonym |
| Synaptura lusitanica nigromaculata | Pellegrin | 1905 | Synonym |
| Synaptura lusitanica punctatissima | Peters | 1876 | Synonym |
| Synaptura punctatissima | Peters | 1876 | Synonym |
| Synaptura punctatissima nigromaculata | Pellegrin | 1905 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 675 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Portuguese sole ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.