Pardachirus marmoratus (Lacepède, 1802)
Finless sole
Pardachirus marmoratus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Soleidae (Soles)
Max. size:  26 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Durban, South Africa and Sri Lanka (Ref. 30573).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 63-74; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 48-55; Vertebrae: 37-39
Biology:  Occurs in shallow coastal waters, on sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 30573). Feeds mainly on bottom living invertebrates. Marketed fresh. Produces a bitter toxic substance from the bases of the dorsal and anal fin rays that deters predation, even by sharks (Ref. 9710) and thus may prove valuable as a shark repellent (Ref. 4537).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  other


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