The lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to shallow seas around Northern Europe, where it lives on stony bottoms down to depths of about 200 metres (660Â ft). It grows up to 65 centimetres (26Â in) in length and reaches about 3 kilograms (6.6Â lb) in weight.
It is a popular food fish.
Identification
The lemon sole is a right-eyed flatfish with a small head and mouth and smooth, slimy skin. The upper surface is reddish brown in colour, mottled with pink and orange and flecks of yellow and green, and a prominent orange patch is typically found behind the pectoral fin, around which the lateral line also curves. The underside of the fish is white. Adults can reach lengths of up to 65 centimetres (26 in), but most measure around 20â€"30 centimetres (8â€"12 in).
Origin of the name
Lemon sole is a misnomer since the fish is neither a true sole, nor does it have the taste of lemon. It probably comes from the French name : "limande" or "sole limande". The French term "limande" may come from the French word "lime", it means "file" (tool used to smooth metal, wood, etc.), possibly referring to the texture of the fish's skin. Some other authors suggest that "limande" may also come from the French word "limon" (which means "silt").
Fishing
In 2007 the European Union fishing quota, or Total Allowable Catch (TAC), for lemon sole (and witch) was 6,175 tonnes, of which 3,716 tonnes were caught, mostly by UK fishermen. The quota for 2008 was 6,793 tonnes and the quota for 2009 was 6,793 tonnes.
The Marine Conservation Society rates lemon sole at 2 or 3 on its sustainability scale (where 1 is best and 5 is worst) depending on how and where it is caught.
See also
Several other species of flatfish are known as lemon soles:
- English sole, Parophrys vetulus
- Southern lemon sole, Pelotretis flavilatus
- Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus
References
