lined sole
Achirus lineatus
Flounder of brackish lagoons and estuaries, which hides in the sand with only its eyes exposed. It has a commercial fishery and is rarely caught on a rod.
Also called: tapa, suela pintada, suela listada, lined sole
- maximum
- 33 cm
- record/max.
- 0.0 kg
- depth
- 1–20 m
who is the lined sole
Flounder of the family Achiridae, up to 33 cm and common near 17 cm. Adults live in brackish and hypersaline lagoons and on the sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries and the shore zone, where they bury themselves and leave only their eyes exposed. It camouflages itself very well in its surroundings. It feeds on worms, crustaceans and small fish. Juveniles go through a short planktonic stage and soon settle to the bottom, and growth is relatively slow. The species has a commercial fishery and also appears in the aquarium trade.
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 lined sole; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It hides almost completely in the sand, leaving only its eyes exposed, and blends in well with its surroundings.
identification
Flounder with a flat, oval body and both eyes on the same side of the head. The dorsal and anal fins are long and have no spines. The Spanish names (suela listada, acedía rayada) refer to the line pattern of the body. On the north coast it can be confused with the chula (Achirus achirus), but the chula occurs only from the Gulf of Paria to the mouth of the Amazon, while the tapa reaches northern Argentina.
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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
It occurs from Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico to northern Argentina, in brackish lagoons and estuaries, including the Brazilian coast.
Habitat: Sandy and muddy bottoms of estuaries, brackish lagoons and the shore zone, down to 20 m deep.
coast
rules for the lined 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.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
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.
It has no dangerous spines or teeth and is harmless to anglers. When removing it from the hook or net, avoid damaging the fins.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01259, 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: Achirus lineatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Achirus lineatusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
