slender sole
Lyopsetta exilis
Small flatfish, up to 35 cm, living near rocky areas on bottoms from 25 to 800 m. It has little commercial importance.
Also called: linguado-esguio, platija delgada, Slender sole
- maximum
- 35 cm
- depth
- 25–800 m
who is the slender sole
The slender sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae of deep bottoms in the eastern Pacific, from southeastern Alaska to central Baja California, Mexico. It lives at 25 to 800 m, near rocky areas. It reaches 35 cm. Being a small fish, its commercial interest is limited, but the species is also recorded as a sport fish. It has good flesh and lives on the bottom, near rocks, at depths that call for care when releasing fish brought to the surface.
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 slender sole; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Flatfish with a short, deep body, with the dorsal fin starting over the front of the upper eye. The caudal fin is rounded, and the pectoral fins are small and narrow. A relative of the deepsea sole (Microstomus bathybius), it is smaller: it reaches 35 cm, against 47 cm, and lives near rocky areas.
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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, it occurs in Mexico, as far as Cedros Island, central Baja California.
Habitat: Deep bottoms near rocky areas, from 25 to 800 m.
rules for the slender 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 on deep bottoms, release it carefully to avoid barotrauma and remove the hook with pliers.
in the kitchen
It has good flesh, but being small it has little commercial importance.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01175, b = 3.09; 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: Lyopsetta exilis (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Lyopsetta exilisNames by country and language.
