Brill (fish)

Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) is a species of flatfish in the turbot family Scophthalmidae. It is native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, where it is found from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

Description

The brill is a flat, diamond-shaped fish with a small head and a large mouth. It has a smooth, slimy skin that is brownish on the upper side and white on the underside. The brill can grow up to 75 cm in length and weigh up to 8 kg.

Habitat and Distribution

Brill are found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms and are usually found at depths of 10 to 100 meters.

Diet

The diet of the brill consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are known to be opportunistic feeders, eating whatever is available in their environment.

Reproduction

Brill reproduce through spawning, where the female releases her eggs into the water to be fertilized by the male. The eggs then float in the water until they hatch.

Commercial Importance

Brill are commercially important and are caught both for sale in fish markets and for use in gastronomy. They are considered a high-quality fish and are often used in fine dining.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of the brill is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, like many other species of fish, they are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction.

See Also

• Flatfish
• Turbot
• Scophthalmidae