Sole fish are a type of flatfish that belong to many different families. True sole fish are in the scientific family Soleidae, but many other families of fish are called sole as well.
These bottom-dwelling creatures are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. They typically have an elongated body with two eyes on one side and several fins along their backs and sides.
You are reading: 7 Types Of Sole Fish
Soles can be identified by their small mouths, short snouts, triangular-shaped caudal fin, and lack of scales or spines on their bodies. The most common species of sole include Dover sole, lemon sole, petrale sole, rex sole, and sand dab.
Each species has slightly different characteristics, but all share certain traits, such as a flattened body shape which allows them to move easily over sandy ocean bottoms where they feed upon invertebrates like clams and shrimp.
Depending on the species, soles can range in size from a few inches up to three feet long! In this article, we will explore the seven types of sole fish in more detail.
7 Types Of Sole Fish
Dover sole
Dover sole, also known as common sole or black sole, is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae. It is one of the largest fish in the Solea genus and is prized as a food fish, being caught mostly by trawling on the seabed.
Dover sole is a right-eyed flatfish, which means it has its mouth on the left side, as do all true members of the sole family. The upper side of the fish is greyish-brown while the underside is white. Dover sole can grow up to a maximum length of about 70 cm (28 in).
It is a delicious fish with a unique taste and texture, and is considered one of the most expensive fish eaten today. Dover sole is often prepared by pan-frying, grilling, or meunière-style. It is a versatile fish that can be paired with a variety of flavors and ingredients.
Lemon sole
Lemon sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to shallow seas around Northern Europe, where it lives on stony bottoms down to depths of about 1,400 meters.
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Lemon sole can grow up to 65 centimeters (26 in) in length and reaches about 19 kilograms (42 lb) in weight. It is a popular food fish, prized for its delicate flavor and texture. Lemon sole is a right-eyed flatfish with a small head and mouth and smooth, slimy skin.
The upper surface is reddish-brown in color, mottled with pink and orange and flecks of yellow and green, and a prominent orange patch is typically found behind the pectoral fin, around which the lateral line also curves.
Lemon sole is in season from January to May, and is a very plentiful fish, particularly on the Cornish coast. It is a versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways, such as pan-frying, grilling, or baking.
Lemon sole is often served with lemon and herbs, which complement its delicate flavor.
Petrale sole
Petrale sole is an edible flatfish that belongs to the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish that lives on sandy bottoms, usually in deep water, down to depths of about 550 meters.
Petrale sole is native to the Eastern Pacific, stretching from the coast of Baja California in the south to the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea in the north. Males can grow up to 53 centimeters in length, while females can grow up to 70 centimeters and weigh up to 3.7 kilograms.
Petrale sole is an important commercial fish, caught all along the West Coast of the United States and Canada and into the Bering Sea, almost exclusively by trawler.
Petrale sole is a versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways, including sautéed, pan-fried, and baked. It has a mild, sweet flavor and a delicate texture. Petrale sole caught in the California Groundfish Fishery with bottom trawls is a Best Choice according to Seafood Watch.
Rex sole
Rex sole is a flatfish that belongs to the family Pleuronectidae. Here are some key facts about rex sole:
– Rex sole is also known as witch or threadfin sole.
– It is a demersal fish that lives in temperate waters on sand or mud bottoms at depths of up to 900 meters.
– Rex sole has both eyes located on the right side of its head.
– They have small mouths with a blunt, rounded snout, and their body is oval-shaped.
– The flesh of rex sole is white, tender, fine-grained, and mild in flavor.
– Rex sole can grow up to 61 centimeters (24 in) in length and can live up to 27 years old.
– Rex sole is an important commercial fish, caught by trawling along the West Coast of the United States and Canada and into the Bering Sea.
– Rex sole is a versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways, including pan-frying, baking, and sautéing.
– Rex sole farmed worldwide in indoor recirculating tanks without wastewater treatment is a Good Alternative according to Seafood Watch.
Sand dab
Sand dab is a type of flatfish that belongs to the family Paralichthyidae. Here are some key facts about sand dab:
– Sand dab is a small type of flounder, generally weighing in at less than a pound and measuring just 6 to 8 inches long.
– The fish have a sweet, soft texture that is uncommonly moist and mild.
– Sand dab is light brown in color with occasional white or orange spots.
– Sand dab is considered a sustainable choice for seafood and can be sautéed, fried, grilled, baked, or boiled.
– Sand dab is the easiest of all fish to clean.
– Sand dab is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates.
– Pacific sand dab is the most common sand dab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sand dab and the speckled sand dab.
– Pacific sand dab is endemic to the northern Pacific Ocean, from the Sea of Japan to the coast of California.
– Pacific sand dab is most commonly found at depths of 50 to 150 meters (160 to 490 feet), though the young inhabit shallower waters, occasionally moving into tide pools.
– Pacific sand dab has sweet tasting meat but savory skin, and is said to taste like trout and French fries, respectively.
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Sand dab is a delicious and sustainable seafood option that can be prepared in many ways. It is a small fish that is easy to clean and has a sweet, mild flavor.
European sole
European sole, also known as Dover sole, is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae. It is one of the largest fish in the Solea genus and is prized as a food fish, being caught mostly by trawling on the seabed.
European sole is a right-eyed flatfish, which means it has its mouth on the left side, as do all true members of the sole family. The upper side of the fish is greyish-brown while the underside is white.
European sole is known for its mild, sweet flavor and delicate texture. It is a versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways, such as pan-frying, grilling, or meunière-style. European Dover sole is over-fished, so it is important to choose sustainable options when purchasing this fish.
Pacific Dover sole
Pacific Dover sole, also known as slime sole or slippery sole, is a Pacific flatfish of the flounder family that ranges from Baja California to the Bering Sea. Here are some key facts about Pacific Dover sole:
– Pacific Dover sole takes its name from a resemblance to the common sole of Europe, which is often called Dover sole.
– Pacific Dover sole can live for up to 45 years.
– The species spawns annually in the winter season in deep water between 800 meters (2,600 ft) and 1,000 meters (3,300 ft).
– Males begin to spawn at four years of age, while females begin to spawn at age five.
– Pacific Dover sole is a popular food fish, with delicate fillets that have a sweet, mild flavor.
– The fish has white fillets when raw, and stays white when cooked.
– Pacific Dover sole is a versatile fish that can be baked, broiled, deep-fried, or grilled.
– Pacific Dover sole is a sustainable seafood option that is great to work with in the kitchen.
Pacific Dover sole is a delicious and sustainable fish that can be prepared in many ways. It is a Pacific flatfish that ranges from Baja California to the Bering Sea and has a sweet, mild flavor.
FAQS
1. What is the difference between sand dab and sole?
Sand dab is a small type of flounder, while sole is a type of flatfish. Sand dab is light brown in color with occasional white or orange spots, while sole is greyish-brown on the upper side and white on the underside. Sand dab has a sweet, soft texture that is uncommonly moist and mild, while sole has a mild, sweet flavor and delicate texture.
2. How can I tell the difference between sand dab and sole?
Sand dab and sole can be difficult to tell apart, but one way to distinguish them is by looking at their mouths. Sand dab is called a “left-handed” fish because its mouth points to the left when the eyes face you, while sole is called a “right-handed” fish because its mouth is on the right side.
3. What are the most common types of sole fish?
The most common types of sole fish include Dover sole, lemon sole, petrale sole, rex sole, European sole, and Pacific Dover sole.
4. How do you cook sole fish?
Sole fish is a versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways, such as pan-frying, grilling, baking, or sautéing. It is often served with lemon and herbs, which complement its delicate flavor.
5. Is sole fish sustainable?
Some species of sole fish are sustainable, while others are overfished. It is important to choose sustainable options when purchasing sole fish. For example, Pacific Dover sole is a sustainable seafood option that is great to work with in the kitchen.
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