Pleuronectes platessa

Researched By	Morvan Barnes	Data Supplied By	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Pleuronectes platessa	Common name	Plaice
MCS Code	ZG578	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Chordata	Subphylum	Vertebrata
Superclass	Gnathostomata	Class	Osteichthyes
Subclass	Teleostei	Order	Pleuronectiformes
Suborder		Family	Pleuronectidae
Genus	Pleuronectes	Species	platessa
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Dipper, 2001, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986
General Biology
Growth form	Pisciform	Feeding method	Predator, Scavenger
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer	Environmental position	Demersal
Typical food types	Thin-shelled molluscs and polychaetes.	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Large(>50cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	2-3 cm / year
Adult dispersal potential	>10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986, Wheeler, 1969, Fonds et al., 1992
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found off all British and Irish coasts although perhaps under recorded off western Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Found in north-west Europe from Latvia to Iceland and south to western France.
Biogeographic range	Cold temperate to temperate.	Depth range	From 5 m to 200 m depth.
Migratory	Seasonal (reproduction)
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Bedrock, Mixed	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed, Estuary
Biological zone	Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral Offshore, Bathybenthic (Bathyal)	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity	Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Dipper, 2001, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986, Wheeler, 1969, Greer Walker et al., 1978
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Oviparous
Reproductive Season	January to February	Reproductive Location	Water column
Reproductive frequency	Annual episodic	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	21-100 years	Age at reproductive maturity	3-5 years
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity	60,000 to 100,000
Egg/propagule size	1.7-2.2 mm	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential >10km Larval settlement period Not relevant Duration of larval stage Not relevant
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Gibson & Batty, 1990, Rijnsdorp, 1989, Van der Veer, 1986