European plaice
A common flatfish with orange spots found on European sandy seabeds.
The European plaice is a marine flatfish native to the continental shelf of Europe. It features distinctive orange spots and lives buried in sand during the day. This species supports significant fisheries in the North Sea and remains a popular food fish in Northern Europe.
- Distinctive orange spots remain visible on dark green or brown skin
- Burrows in sandy sediment during the day to hide from predators
- Larvae use tidal currents to transport themselves to shallow beaches
- Popular in Danish cuisine, often served with remoulade sauce
- Fishery stocks recovered after reduced pressure in the 1990s
What it is
This marine flatfish has an oval body shape with both eyes located on the right side. Its dorsal skin ranges from dark green to brown and features irregular orange spots that remain visible even when the fish changes colour to match its surroundings. The underside is pearly white and smooth. Adults have a small head and a terminal mouth. A bony ridge behind the eyes helps identify the species. The lateral line curves slightly above the pectoral fin, and the dorsal fin extends to the eye.
Where it lives
The species inhabits the European continental shelf, ranging from the Barents Sea south to the Iberian Peninsula. It is also found around Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Reports in the Mediterranean Sea are likely misidentifications of the European flounder. Adults prefer deeper waters between 10 and 200 metres, while juveniles stay in shallow estuaries and sandy coasts. They live on sandy or muddy seabeds where they can bury themselves.
How it lives
Active at night, this fish feeds on polychaete worms, crustaceans, and bivalves. Young individuals primarily eat shrimps. During the day, they burrow into sediment to avoid predators and ambush prey. They remain stationary for long periods. This behaviour helps them blend into the seabed. The fish can live for up to two decades. Adults generally stay in deeper water, whereas younger fish occupy shallower zones.
Breeding and life cycle
Females mature between three and seven years old, with most in the North Sea maturing at three. Spawning occurs from December to May in areas like the Southern Bight. Females release eggs in batches every few days for about a month. Eggs hatch after two weeks, and larvae drift in the plankton. Metamorphosis takes up to ten days, after which juveniles settle on intertidal beaches. Young fish use tidal currents to reach suitable habitats.
Fish and people
This fish is a staple in North German and Danish cuisine. It is often filleted, battered, and pan-fried, served hot or cold with remoulade sauce. It appears in fish and chips dishes and as a children's meal option in Denmark. Supermarkets sell breaded frozen versions for home cooking. Fresh plaice is also oven-baked. The majority of commercial landings come from the North Sea using beam trawls and otter trawls.
Status and threats
Stocks are currently considered within safe biological limits according to ICES assessments. Fishing pressure decreased after landings exceeded management advice in the 1980s and 1990s. Total landings peaked at 200,000 tonnes in the late 1980s but are now generally below 120,000 tonnes. The species is listed as Least Concern. Mixed flatfish fisheries continue to harvest this population sustainably.
Questions people ask about European plaice
How can you identify a European plaice?
Look for an oval flatfish with both eyes on the right side. The top side is dark green or brown with bright orange spots that do not disappear when the fish changes colour. A bony ridge behind the eyes is also a key feature.
Where does the European plaice live?
It lives on sandy and muddy bottoms across the European shelf, from the Barents Sea to the Iberian Peninsula. Adults stay in deeper water up to 200 metres, while young fish inhabit shallow estuaries and coastal beaches.
What do European plaice eat?
They are nocturnal feeders that eat polychaete worms, crustaceans, and bivalves. Young plaice between one and two years old mainly consume shrimps. They bury themselves in sediment to ambush their prey.
Is European plaice sustainable to eat?
Yes, current stocks are within safe biological limits. Fishing pressure was reduced after high catches in the 1980s and 1990s. Most landings now come from the North Sea using trawls and seines under managed quotas.
Good reading and sources
- European plaice on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "European plaice", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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