Plaice

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Plaice is a common name for a group of flatfish that comprises four species: the European, American, Alaskan and scale-eye plaice. They are commercially significant within the fishing industry, particularly in Europe and North America.

Description[edit | edit source]

Plaice are flat, oval-shaped fish with smooth, brown skin that is speckled with red or orange spots. The underside of the fish is white. They have a small mouth and eyes on the right side of their body.

Species[edit | edit source]

There are four species of plaice:

  • European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is found in the waters of the north-eastern Atlantic, from the Barents Sea to the Mediterranean.
  • American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) is a North American species found in the western Atlantic from Labrador to Rhode Island.
  • Alaskan plaice (Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus) is found in the North Pacific, from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Bering Sea.
  • Scale-eye plaice (Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi) is also found in the North Pacific, from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Bering Sea.

Habitat and Diet[edit | edit source]

Plaice live on the sandy or muddy seabed, where they are well camouflaged. They feed on benthic organisms such as polychaetes, crustaceans and bivalves.

Commercial Significance[edit | edit source]

Plaice are commercially important and are caught using bottom trawling methods. They are sold fresh, frozen, or smoked, and are a popular food fish in many countries.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Plaice Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD