Solenette (Buglossidium luteum)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

A flatfish with a characteristic head shape. Below the rounded snout on the lower edge of the head is a small semi-circular mouth, which gives the fish a permanently sad expression. Both eyes are on the right side of the body. The dorsal fin starts in front of the eyes, runs the whole length of the body and is joined to tail fin. The anal (ventral) fin is shorter, starting further back but also joined to the tail fin. The pectoral fins are very small. Solenettes can vary their colour to suit the background. The general colour is a light sandy brown with darker spots. The solenette reaches up to 13 cm in length.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Widespread and common species, occurring all round Britain and Ireland.

Global distribution

-

Habitat

Found on sandy and muddy bottoms. The solenette lives at depths of 5-40 m but is occasionally found in much deeper water.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • Low-slung, semi-circular mouth.
  • Long dorsal and anal fins joined to tail fin.
  • Filaments around the head.
  • Dorsal and anal fins striped.

Additional information

Spawning takes place in spring and summer in specific areas at depths of 40-60 m. It feeds on small, bottom-living animals, especially small crustaceans and worms but also molluscs and fish.

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Dipper, F., 2001. British sea fishes (2nd edn). Teddington: Underwater World Publications Ltd.

  2. FishBase, 2000. FishBase. A global information system on fishes. [On-line] http://www.fishbase.org, 2001-05-03

  3. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

Datasets

  1. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  2. Isle of Wight Local Records Centre, 2017. IOW Natural History & Archaeological Society Marine Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/7axhcw accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  3. Merseyside BioBank., 2018. Merseyside BioBank (unverified). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/iou2ld accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  4. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  5. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-04-30

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Ruiz, A. 2007. Buglossidium luteum Solenette. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 30-04-2025]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2173

Last Updated: 31/01/2007