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Peppered Sole
Aseraggodes sp
A Peppered Sole at a depth of 12m, Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, April 1998. View larger image.
A Peppered Sole on a sandy bottom at 'the Pipeline', Nelson Bay, New South Wales.
Close up view of the eyes and part of the anal fin of a Peppered Sole.
The Peppered Sole can be recognised by its very flat body (typical of the Family Soleidae) and elevated eyes on the right side of the body. It lacks pectoral fins and has papillae in front of the mouth. It is usually sandy coloured, speckled with light and dark spots.
It grows to about 10cm in length.
This species is found on sandy and silty bottoms down to depths of about 15m, in coastal bays of New South Wales.
Like all flatfishes, the Peppered Sole passes through a planktonic stage, during which, the eyes are positioned on either side of the head. As the fish develops, one eye moves across the head, so both eyes end up on the same side.
In some flatfishes, such as the Peppered Sole, the eyes end up on the right side of the head. Another family of flatfishes, the Bothidae, contains the Left-eyed Flounders, in which the fishes all have their eyes on the left side of the head.
Further reading
- 1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
