english sole
Parophrys vetulus
Sand and mud flatfish of the North Pacific, found in Baja California, Mexico. It has commercial value and is also caught with a rod.
Also called: linguado-inglês, platija inglesa, platija limón, English sole
- maximum
- 49 cm
- record/max.
- 1.5 kg
- depth
- 0–550 m
who is the english sole
The English sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae that lives on sand and mud bottoms in the North Pacific, from Russia to Alaska and Baja California, Mexico. Juveniles live in intertidal areas, and the species occurs from shallow water down to 550 m. It reaches 49 cm and 1.5 kg, and its common size is 33 cm. It feeds on small crustaceans, marine worms, brittle stars and small mollusks. Adults make extensive migrations to spawn.
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 english sole; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Adults make extensive migrations to spawn.
- It can live 22 years.
identification
Flatfish with a short, deep body, with the dorsal fin starting over the middle of the upper eye. The pectoral fins tend to have pointed tips. Juveniles are common in shallow and intertidal waters, and adults stay on sand and mud bottoms. These traits, together with the type of bottom, help identify the species.
Loading the next 7 days…
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 Baja California, Mexico. In the rest of the North Pacific, it ranges from Russia to Alaska.
Habitat: Sand and mud bottoms, from shallow water down to 550 m; juveniles stay in intertidal areas.
rules for the english 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. Release it carefully and without squeezing the body; if it is brought up from deeper water, it may suffer barotrauma.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00589, b = 3.03; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). 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: Parophrys vetulus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Parophrys vetulusNames by country and language.
