Brachirus

Brachirus is a genus of flatfish in the family Soleidae. The genus is distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Pacific Ocean. Members of this genus are commonly known as soles or tongue soles, and they are characterized by their flattened bodies, eyes located on one side of the head, and a distinctive pigmentation pattern.

Common Names

Common names for species within the genus Brachirus include:

  • Tongue sole
  • Sole
  • Flounder

Characteristics

Brachirus species share the following characteristics:

  • Flattened bodies, typically with one side (the blind side) facing the seabed
  • Eyes located on the upper side of the head
  • Mouth on the blind side
  • Scales present on the upper side of the body
  • A distinctive pigmentation pattern, often with spots or stripes

Environment

Brachirus species are found in a variety of marine habitats, including:

  • Sandy bottoms
  • Muddy bottoms
  • Seagrass meadows
  • Coral reefs

They are typically found in shallow waters, but some species can occur at depths of up to 100 meters.

References

For further information on Brachirus, refer to the following websites: