Solenette

Buglossidium luteum

The solenette, also known as the yellow sole, is a small flatfish native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Divers can identify this species by its oval, compressed body, with both eyes located on the right side of its head. The solenette typically measures between 10 and 13 cm, reaching a maximum length of 15 cm. Its coloration varies from yellowish to light brown, often with darker blotches or spots, and it can change color to blend with its surroundings. The dorsal and anal fins are sandy-colored with regularly spaced dark fin rays. Solenettes inhabit sandy and muddy bottoms at depths ranging from 5 to 450 meters, though they are most commonly found between 10 and 40 meters. They are concentrated in areas with moderate estuary influence and specific salinity levels. Their diet consists mainly of small benthic organisms, including crustaceans, bivalve mollusks, and polychaete worms. The solenette's feeding activity peaks in summer and decreases during winter. During the breeding season, solenettes spawn at different times depending on their location: February in the Mediterranean, March to June in the Bay of Biscay, and July to August in the western English Channel and North Sea. The species is not of significant commercial value and is often caught as bycatch in trawls. The IUCN lists the solenette as Least Concern.