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Pardachirus marmoratus (Lacepède, 1802) Finless sole |
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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 | |||