Petrale Sole Identification Guide
Recognize petrale sole by its pronounced lateral-line arch, oval body, and plain olive-brown back.
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Key identification features
- Right-eyed flatfish with an elongated, oval body
- Pronounced high arch in the lateral line directly above the pectoral fin
- Smooth, olive-brown to grayish-brown back that is largely unmarked or only faintly mottled
- Pointed snout paired with a moderately sized mouth
- Blind side is pale white to cream colored with no markings
- One of the larger Pacific soles, reaching about 2.5 feet
Common look-alikes
- Rex sole has a much more slender, elongated body and a notably larger pectoral fin, without petrale sole's strong lateral-line arch.
- Dover sole has slimy, mucus-covered skin and a small mouth, lacking the pronounced arch seen in petrale sole.
- English sole is more slender overall with a pointed head and less curvature in the lateral line.
Where you'll see one
Petrale sole live on sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf along the U.S. and Canadian Pacific coast, ranging from shallow inshore waters down to over 1,500 feet, and are a well-known commercial flatfish of the West Coast.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell petrale sole from rex sole?
Petrale sole has a deeper, more robust body with a pronounced lateral-line arch, while rex sole is much more slender and elongated with a proportionally larger pectoral fin.
What is the single best field mark for petrale sole?
Check the lateral line just above the pectoral fin for a distinct high arch, which is more pronounced than in most other similarly sized Pacific flatfish.