Foureyed sole
📖 Overview
Foureyed sole (Microchirus ocellatus), first described by Linnaeus, 1758 is a medium-sized fish in the family Soleidae (order Pleuronectiformes). Adults typically reach 21.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 30 to 300 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Soleidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 62 - 70; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 64 - 75; Vertebrae: 40 - 43. Greyish, median fins darker; 4 round, white-edged, black ocelli on posterior part of body; white-edged black band across peduncle; black blotch on lateral line behind tip of pectoral; faint dark spots on anterior part of body .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Foureyed sole is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 30 - 300 m . Subtropical; 43°N - 4°N Central Atlantic: Madeira Island (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Foureyed 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 | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 279 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Foureyed 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 | Eyed sole · Foureye Sole · Foureyed sole · four eyed sole |
| 🇩🇪German | augenfleckige seezunge |
| 🌍ELL | Ματόγλωσσα |
| 🇫🇷French | Sole Ocellée · Sole-perdrix Ocellée · Sole-perdrix ocellée, Sole ocellée · sole perdrix ocellée |
| 🌍HEB | סולית עינונית |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Sogliola · sogliola occhiuta |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Tong · ogentong |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Oczlica |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Azevia-de-malhas |
| 🌍RON | Limba de mare patata |
| 🌍SLV | Okati list |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Soldado · Tambor real |
| 🌍SQI | Gjuhez syzake · gjuhëza me katër sy |
| 🌍TUR | benekli dil baligi |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echinosolea oculata | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Monochirus ocellatus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Monochirus quadriocellatus | von Bonde | 1922 | Synonym |
| Pleuronectes ocellatus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Pleuronectes pegusa | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Quenselia ocellata | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Solea ocellata | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Solea oculata | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Solea quadriocellata | von Bonde | 1922 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 226 records indexed .
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