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Pleuronectes platessa, commonly known as the European Plaice, is a commercially important flatfish belonging to the family Pleuronectidae. It is characterized by its distinctive orange spots on its eyed side and a smooth skin. Like all flatfish, it undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis from a bilaterally symmetrical larva to an asymmetrical adult, with both eyes migrating to one side of the head. It is a demersal species, typically found on sandy or muddy bottoms.
Características físicas
- Formato do corpo
- flat
- Coloração
- Dorsal (eyed) side is typically dark brown to olive-green, covered with distinctive, bright orange or reddish spots. The ventral (blind) side is pure white. The spots are a key identification feature.
- Tipo de escama
- cycloid
- Posição da boca
- terminal
- Características distintivas
- Bright orange or reddish spots on the eyed side, which are often surrounded by a pale halo., A bony ridge or series of 4-7 prominent bony tubercles (ossifications) running in a line from the posterior margin of the upper eye towards the lateral line., Small, smooth scales (cycloid scales) that are embedded in the skin, giving it a smooth feel., Eyes are typically on the right side of the head (dextral).
- Nadadeira dorsal
- Long, extending from just behind the eyes to the caudal peduncle, with 65-79 soft rays. It is continuous and lacks spines.
- Nadadeira caudal
- Rounded or slightly truncate caudal fin, distinct from the dorsal and anal fins.
- Nadadeira peitoral
- Small and rounded, located on both sides, though the one on the blind side is often smaller.
- Nadadeiras características
- Anal fin is also long, mirroring the dorsal fin, with 48-59 soft rays. Pelvic fins are small and located anteriorly.
Dicas de identificação
Orange Spots
The most reliable distinguishing feature is the presence of bright orange or reddish spots on the dark, eyed side of the body. These spots are usually distinct and often have a pale margin.
Bony Ridge/Tubercles
Feel for a distinct bony ridge or a series of 4-7 bony tubercles (ossifications) running in a straight line from the back of the upper eye towards the lateral line. This is a key tactile and visual identifier.
Smooth Skin
Run your hand over the eyed side; the skin should feel smooth due to the embedded cycloid scales, unlike some other flatfish with rougher ctenoid scales.
Eye Position
Confirm that both eyes are on the right side of the head (dextral), which is characteristic of the Pleuronectidae family.
Habitat
- Tipo de água
- saltwater
- Profundidade
- Typically found in shallow coastal waters to depths of about 200 meters (650 feet), though occasionally recorded deeper. Most common between 10-50 meters.
- Ambiente
- Demersal, inhabiting sandy, muddy, or gravelly bottoms. Prefers soft substrates where it can partially bury itself for camouflage and ambush predation. Found in estuaries and coastal areas, often migrating to deeper offshore waters for spawning.
- Distribuição geográfica
- Northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the Barents Sea and Iceland south to the Mediterranean Sea (rarely) and the Bay of Biscay. Abundant around the British Isles, North Sea, and Baltic Sea.
Informações sobre aquário
- Nível de cuidado: expert
- Temperamento: peaceful
- Alimentação: carnivore
- Tamanho mínimo do aquário: 500 gallons
- Temperatura: 4-18°C (39-64°F)
- Nível de pH: 7.5-8.4
- Dureza da água: 10-25 dGH
- Compatibilidade: Best kept in a species-specific tank or with other large, peaceful, cold-water demersal fish that will not outcompete it for food or disturb its resting habits. Avoid aggressive or very active species.
- Requisitos especiais: Requires a large tank with a deep sand or fine gravel substrate for burrowing. Excellent filtration and strong water movement are essential to mimic its natural marine environment. Needs a varied diet of fresh or frozen marine invertebrates. Not typically suitable for home aquaria due to size and specific environmental needs.
Informações no ambiente natural
- Estado de conservação: least concern
- Sazonalidade: Peak fishing seasons vary by region, but generally from late spring through autumn. Spawning occurs in winter and early spring, during which fishing pressure may be reduced or regulated.
- Preço de mercado: Varies significantly by region, season, and size, but generally commands a good price due to its culinary appeal.
- Importância comercial: high
- Sabor: Mild, sweet, and delicate flavor.
- Textura: Firm, white, flaky flesh.
- Métodos de preparo: Frying, Baking, Grilling, Steaming, Poaching
- Valor nutricional: Good source of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals (e.g., B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium).
Fatos principais
Eye Migrationevolution
Plaice larvae hatch with eyes on both sides of their head, like typical fish. As they grow, one eye migrates over the top of the head to join the other on the right side, and the fish settles to live on its blind (left) side on the seabed.
Camouflage Mastersbehavior
Plaice can rapidly change the intensity of their skin coloration to match their surroundings, allowing them to blend seamlessly with sandy or muddy seabeds, making them incredibly difficult for predators and prey to spot.
Longevityrecord
European Plaice can live for a surprisingly long time, with individuals recorded living up to 30 years in the wild, though average lifespan is typically 10-15 years.
Dietary Shiftbehavior
While adult plaice primarily feed on marine worms, bivalves, and other benthic invertebrates, juvenile plaice have a more varied diet, including small crustaceans and even small fish.
Informações de segurança
Seguro- Nível de segurança: safe
- Venenoso: Não
- Comestibilidade: edible
- Observações de manuseio: European Plaice are generally safe to handle. They do not possess venomous spines. Care should be taken with larger specimens to avoid fin pricks, but these are not dangerous. Their flat body makes them easy to grip.
Espécies similares
Flounder
Platichthys flesus
Flounder typically have a rougher skin texture due to ctenoid scales, lack the prominent orange spots, and often have a more irregular pattern of dark blotches. The bony ridge behind the eye is absent or much less pronounced in flounder. Flounder can also be sinistral (eyes on the left) or dextral, whereas plaice are almost exclusively dextral.
Dab
Limanda limanda
Dabs are generally smaller, have a rougher skin texture (ctenoid scales), and lack the distinctive orange spots. Their lateral line has a strong curve above the pectoral fin, which is less pronounced in plaice. The bony ridge behind the eye is absent in dabs.
Lemon Sole
Microstomus kitt
Lemon sole has a much smaller mouth, a more oval body shape, and a distinctive marbled brown coloration without the bright orange spots. Its skin is also very smooth and slimy. The bony ridge behind the eye is absent.
Classificação científica
- Reino
- Animalia
- Filo
- Chordata
- Classe
- Actinopterygii
- Ordem
- Pleuronectiformes
- Família
- Pleuronectidae
- Gênero
- Pleuronectes
- Espécie
- Pleuronectes platessa
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