Dor's Sole

Soleichthys dori

Dor's Sole is a small reef fish that can be found in the tropical waters of the Western Indian Ocean, specifically in the Red Sea, including the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dahlak Archipelago. This species is known for its benthopelagic lifestyle, residing at depths ranging from the surface to 10 meters. Divers might encounter this fish on sandy bottoms or among coral reefs, where it blends into its surroundings with its dark-barred color pattern. This species can be distinguished from its relatives by its unique color pattern and specific morphological features. Unlike the similar S. heterorhinos, Dor's Sole has a snout length greater than its eye diameter. It also differs from other species like S. multifasciatus and S. nigrostriolatus by its color and meristic characteristics, such as a lower lateral-line scale count and a specific number of vertebrae. The species' conservation status is not evaluated.