Scientific Name
Microchirus variegatus

Common Name
Thickback sole

Biology
Inhabits mud or sand bottoms. Feeds on a wide range of small bottom-living organisms, mainly crustaceans (amphipods, shrimps), also polychaete worms and bivalve mollusks (Ref. 4710). Utilized as a food fish.

Classification

Classified By

Donovan, 1808

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes)

Family

Soles (Soleidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic: British Isles south to Senegal (baie du L?vrier) and the Mediterranean.

Range

60°N - 15°N, 18°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

20 m

Depth To - meters

400 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 400 m (Ref. 35388)

Trophic Level

3.28 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

35.0 cm

Common Length

14.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.37; tm=3; tmax=14)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated