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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Temperate

Southern lemon sole

Pelotretis flavilatus Waite, 1911
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
22–385 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Typical Length
30 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabits shallow waters, generally at depth of less than 50 m. Found to depth of 385 m . Juveniles gather in sheltered inshore waters, such as estuarine areas, shallow mudflats and sandflats, where they remain for up to two years .

Scientific Name
Pelotretis flavilatus
Authority
Waite, 1911
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
50 cm
Depth Range
22–385 m
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Pelotretis
Pelotretis
Species
Southern lemon sole
Pelotretis flavilatus

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Southern lemon sole is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Southern lemon sole is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 22 - 385 m . Temperate Southwest Pacific: restricted to New Zealand (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.29

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01778 × L2.97 (TL)
Max TL
50cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
26.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Waite, 1911

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 15.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 611 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Southern lemon sole has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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