Therese's Sole

Aseraggodes therese

Therese's Sole is a small reef fish belonging to the family Soleidae. It is distinguished by its unique body shape, which is short and deep, and its ocular side adorned with prominent dark blotches arranged in three rows. The middle row features two particularly large and dark blotches. This species lacks a caudal peduncle, and its dorsal and anal fin rays are characterized by broad, membranous ridges that taper towards the tips. This species is found exclusively in the Eastern Central Pacific, particularly around the Hawaiian Islands. It inhabits marine environments at depths ranging from 2 to 26 meters. Therese's Sole is a benthic fish, often found on sandy bottoms, rubble, or reefs. It is known to bury itself in sand within caves, making it a cryptic and elusive sight for divers. Feeding primarily on small crustaceans such as shrimps, crabs, and various isopods and amphipods, Therese's Sole plays a role in the reef's trophic ecology. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Divers encountering this species may find it well-camouflaged against the sandy substrate, requiring a keen eye to spot.