Soleichthys
Soleichthys is a genus of marine fishes in the family Soleidae, the soles. They are commonly called “tonguefishes” because of their elongated, tongue-like bodies. The genus is distributed widely in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Characteristics
Soleichthys species are characterized by their flattened, asymmetrical bodies. Like other soles, they have both eyes on one side of their head, with the left eye typically being the dominant eye. This allows them to lie flat on the seabed with their blind side facing down. They have a small mouth with a protruding lower jaw and are generally small in size, typically reaching lengths of 10-20 centimeters.
Environments
Soleichthys species are benthic, meaning they live on the seabed. They are found in a variety of habitats, including sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. They are typically found in shallow water but can also be found at depths of up to 100 meters.
Diet
Soleichthys species are carnivores and feed primarily on small invertebrates, such as crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. They use their sensitive barbels, located around their mouth, to detect prey.
Reproduction
Soleichthys species are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The eggs are typically small and transparent and are often laid in clusters attached to seaweed or other substrates.
Species
There are currently 15 recognized species in the genus Soleichthys:
- Soleichthys buchwaldi
- Soleichthys canariensis
- Soleichthys heterorhinos
- Soleichthys indicus
- Soleichthys maculatus
- Soleichthys microcephalus
- Soleichthys multiradiatus
- Soleichthys namiyei
- Soleichthys ocellatus
- Soleichthys pacificus
- Soleichthys papillosus
- Soleichthys pleurospilus
- Soleichthys robinsi
- Soleichthys sanctaehelenae
- Soleichthys xanthurus
References
For more information on Soleichthys, please refer to the following websites: