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seafood encyclopedia

Sole: Flathead

Overview

  • Scientific Name: Hippoglossoides elassodon; a member of the Soleidae Family
  • US Market Name(s): Sole, Flounder
  • Canada Market Name(s): Sole, Flounder, Flathead Sole

Culinary Profile

Sole & Flounder flesh is lean, creamy white and offers a very thin fillet. When cooked - the flesh is flakey and has a mild flavour.

Description

Similar to other members of the Flatfish Family - Flathead Sole have eyes on the same side of their head. Flathead Sole are oval-shaped, have a narrow upper jaw and pores under their eyes. Flathead Sole can grow to be 1.8 feet long.

Habitat

Flathead Sole reside at different depths throughout their lifecycle. As juveniles - they reside in shallow waters, where as as adults - they move into deeper waters and generally prefer sandy or muddy bottoms. This Flatfish can be found on the Pacific Coast - ranging from Central California - north to the Gulf of Alaska - and the Bering Sea.

Fishing Season

Sustainability Status

Sole & Flounder populations are not considered depleted, but the common method of catch is bottom trawling - which has significant bycatch and habitat degradation concerns. Flathead Sole populations are very healthy.

Fishy Fact: Flathead Sole do not feed much during winter months – in the spring they move to the outer continental shelf to feed.

Products

Available as Value Added, Commodity, Custom Packing.