Dover sole | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
Family: | Pleuronectidae |
Genus: | Microstomus |
Species: | M. pacificus |
Binomial name | |
Microstomus pacificus (Lockington, 1879) |
Dover sole, Microstomus pacificus, is a Pacific flatfish of the flounder family which ranges from Baja California to the Bering Sea. It takes its name from a resemblance to the common sole of Europe, which is often called a 'Dover sole'.
Dover sole can live for 45 years. They spawn annually in the winter season in deepwater between 800 and 1,000 metres. Males begin to spawn at four years of age, while females begin to spawn at age five.
Dover sole is generally grilled on the bone and is characterized by a light taste.