deep-sea sole
Microstomus bathybius
Flatfish of very deep mud bottoms in the North Pacific, reaching 47 cm. It is caught for subsistence and is also considered of sport interest.
Also called: linguado-de-águas-profundas, platija de profundidad, Deep-sea sole
- maximum
- 47 cm
- depth
- 500–950 m
who is the deep-sea sole
The deepsea sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae that lives on mud bottoms at great depths. It occurs in the North Pacific, from Japan to the Gulf of Alaska, up to the border with Mexico. Records range from 41 to 1,800 m, but it is most common between 500 and 950 m. It reaches 47 cm. It is caught for subsistence and is considered of sport interest. Since it lives at great depths, fish brought to the surface may suffer barotrauma.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the deep-sea sole; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Flatfish with a short, deep body, with the dorsal fin starting above the rear edge of the upper eye's pupil. The tail is almost rounded and the pectoral fins are short. It lives on mud bottoms at great depth. It is of the same genus as the Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus), but smaller: it reaches 47 cm, against 76 cm.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America, the species occurs in Mexico, near the northern border. The rest of its range runs from Japan to the Gulf of Alaska.
Habitat: Mud bottoms at great depth, from 41 to 1,800 m, usually 500 to 950 m.
rules for the deep-sea sole
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Not dangerous. As it lives at great depth, release it carefully to avoid barotrauma.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00955, b = 3.15; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Microstomus bathybius (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Microstomus bathybiusNames by country and language.
