rex sole
Glyptocephalus zachirus
Sand and mud flatfish of the North Pacific, up to 60 cm, growing slowly. Its flesh is considered tasty, but trawlers often discard it.
Also called: linguado-rei, platija rey, Rex sole
- maximum
- 60 cm
- record/max.
- 2.0 kg
- depth
- 61–500 m
who is the rex sole
The rex sole is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae that lives on sand or mud bottoms in the North Pacific, from the Kuril Islands and the Bering Sea to Cedros Island, northern Baja California, Mexico. It occurs from 0 to 900 m, usually between 61 and 500 m, on the shelf and slope. It reaches 60 cm and 2 kg, and its common size is 36 cm. It is a slow-growing fish, and trawlers often discard it or sometimes process it into fertilizer. Its flesh is considered tasty.
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 rex sole; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It can live 27 years and grows slowly.
- Trawlers often discard it, but sometimes it ends up as fertilizer.
identification
Flatfish with a short, deep body, with the dorsal fin starting over the middle of the upper eye. The rear part of the tail is V-shaped. The pectoral fin on the eyed side is very elongated, the most striking trait of the species, and together with the V-shaped tail it helps identify it.
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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 northern Baja California, Mexico, as far as Cedros Island.
Habitat: Sand or mud bottoms, usually from 61 to 500 m.
rules for the rex 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 the bottom, release it carefully to avoid barotrauma if it is brought up from great depth.
in the kitchen
The flesh is sold fresh or frozen, and can be steamed, fried or baked.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0049, b = 3.13; 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: Glyptocephalus zachirus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Glyptocephalus zachirusNames by country and language.
