Finless sole
📖 Overview
Occurs in shallow coastal waters, on sand and mud bottoms . Feeds mainly on bottom living invertebrates. Marketed fresh. Produces a bitter toxic substance from the bases of the dorsal and anal fin rays that deters predation, even by sharks and thus may prove valuable as a shark repellent .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 63 - 74; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 48 - 55; Vertebrae: 37 - 39. : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Finless sole is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 m . Tropical South Africa and Sri Lanka (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
bottom living invertebrates
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Finless 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 | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 63 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Finless 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 | finless sole · garden sole · Moses sole · Red Sea Moses Sole · Speckled sole |
| 🌍AFR | Gespikkelde tongvis |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Khaufa · Tabaq · سمك موسى البحر الأحمر · سمك موسى المبقع · سمك موسى عديم الزعانف |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Marmoreret tunge |
| 🇩🇪German | Moses-Seezunge |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Mooseksenantura |
| 🇫🇷French | Sole de lait |
| 🌍HEB | סוליינית רעילה |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Sogliola di Mosè |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Mozes Zeetong |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Língua de leite |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Мраморная павлинья солея |
| 🌍SOM | Sheer-sheerto |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Lenguado de leche |
| 🌍SWA | Gala-gala · Gayo-gayo · Wayo |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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