Brill

Scophthalmus rhombus

Brill are a type of flatfish found in the northeast Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean. They inhabit sandy or muddy seabeds, typically at depths of 5 to 50 meters, though they can be found deeper. Brill are often mistaken for turbot due to their similar appearance, but they have a more slender body and lack the bony tubercles found on turbots. Their coloration is adaptable, allowing them to blend into their surroundings, with an olive green hue and dark and light spots on their upper side, while the underside is usually cream or pinkish white. Brill feed on bottom-dwelling fish and larger crustaceans. They can reach up to 75 cm in length and weigh as much as 8 kg, though they are typically smaller. The species is known for its frilly dorsal fin, which is not fully connected to the fin membrane. Brill have a maximum reported age of 6 years. For divers, encountering a brill can be an interesting experience as they are bottom-dwellers and exhibit camouflage behavior. They are harmless to humans and are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.