Scientific Name
Austroglossus microlepis

Common Name
West coast sole

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 82-100; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 65 - 78; Vertebrae: 55 - 57. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with caudal fin (Ref. 36731). Right pectoral fin more than half of, but shorter than head length; left pectoral fin present (Ref. 36731). Brownish with small dark specks; sometimes with bars on body (Ref. 3200).

Classification

Classified By

Bleeker, 1863

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes)

Family

Soles (Soleidae)

Distribution

Region

Southeast Atlantic

Distribution

Southeast Atlantic: northern Namibia to False Bay, South Africa.

Range

17°S - 35°S

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

100 m

Depth To - meters

400 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 100 - 400 m (Ref. 5304)

Trophic Level

3.48 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

75.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (57 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.07)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)