Lemon Sole

Fascinating facts about the Lemon Sole

• Even though it lives on the sea floor, the lemon sole can be found down to about 1,400 m (4,600 ft). Its ability to blend into stony bottoms lets it hide from predators and ambush prey. This depth range expands our view of where tasty fish can grow.
• The biggest lemon sole ever recorded measured 65 cm (26 in) and weighed around 3 kg (6.6 lb), yet most adults stay between 20 cm and 30 cm (8–12 in). The size gap reflects a life strategy where many individuals remain small, perhaps to stay hidden on the seabed. It reminds us that “big” and “small” fish can both be common in the same species.
• A bright orange patch sits just behind the pectoral fin, and the lateral line curves around it, giving the fish’s upper side a pattern of pink, orange, yellow and green flecks.
• The name “lemon sole” isn’t about a citrus flavor; it likely derives from the French word *limande*, linked to *lime* (a file) describing the fish’s smooth, slimy skin, or to *limon* meaning silt, hinting at its muddy habitat. The misnomer illustrates how language can carry clues about a species’ texture or environment, even when the literal meaning is off-track.
• In 2007 the EU set a total allowable catch of 6,175 tonnes for lemon sole (and witch), and UK fishermen harvested 3,716 tonnes that year; the quota rose to 6,793 tonnes for 2008 and 2009. The Marine Conservation Society rates the fish at 3 or 4 out of 5 on its sustainability scale, depending on fishing method and location. These numbers highlight the fine line between a popular food fish and the need for careful management.

At a glance

About the Lemon Sole

The lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) glides along the stony seabed of Northern Europe's shallow seas, its right-eyed form flattened for a life spent half-buried in sediment. Its upper surface shimmers in reddish-brown tones, mottled with pink, orange, flecks of yellow and green, and a striking orange patch behind the pectoral fin where the lateral line curves, while the belly remains a clean white. Though individuals can reach up to 65 cm (26 in) and weigh about 3 kg (6.6 lb), most adults are modest, measuring 20–30 cm (8–12 in). It can be found as deep as about 1,400 m (4,600 ft) and is a popular food fish.

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