Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Pleuronectiformes

Family: Pleuronectidae

Scientific name: Pleuronectes platessa

 

Norwegian: rødspette

(Bjørnøya - Sør-Trøndelag / 25 meters / 10.14.2001)

Distribution: The plaice is well known along the entire Norwegian coast. You may find it on sandy substrate from the intertidal zone and down to 250 meters.

Characteristics: You can hardly confuse this right eyed flounder with any other species. It has many, very distinct, vivid orange spots on the upper surface. The background color is grey or pale brown. The bony knobs behind the eyes, toward the lateral line, is another typical feature.

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