Identification:
The sole has an elliptical outline, a rounded snout and a curved mouth. The
nasal openings are on the white underside.
Breeding:
Spawning takes place in spring (off southern England) or early
summer (southern North Sea). Females each release around 100,000 eggs in
shallow waters, and the young migrate to the bottom after metamorphosis (12-15
cm). Soles reach maturity at 3-5 years (25-30 cm).
Habitat:
Soles inhabit shallow sandy waters, where they lie buried by day, emerging
at night to feed.
Food:
Food consists of small invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans and bivalve
molluscs.
Range:
The sole ranges throughout British waters, but is more common in the
south.
Additional Notes:
The sole is a valuable commercial fish, commonly taken along with plaice
by beam trawl fleets.
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