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EveryFish
Lemon sole from the Fairy Bank in the Southern North Sea.

Lemon sole

A right-eyed flatfish from Northern European seas.

Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The lemon sole is a flatfish native to shallow waters around Northern Europe. It lives on stony seabeds and grows up to 65 centimetres long. This species is a popular food fish in the region, though its name is misleading as it tastes nothing like citrus fruit.

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  • Grows up to 65 centimetres in length
  • Lives on stony bottoms up to 1,400 metres deep
  • Name comes from French word for file or silt
  • Popular food fish in Northern Europe

What it is

This fish is a right-eyed flatfish with a small head and mouth. Its skin feels smooth and slimy to the touch. The upper side displays a reddish brown colour, mottled with pink, orange, yellow and green flecks. A distinct orange patch usually sits behind the pectoral fin. The lateral line curves around this area. The underside remains white. Adults can reach 65 centimetres in length, though most individuals measure between 20 and 30 centimetres.

Where it lives

The species is native to the shallow seas surrounding Northern Europe. It prefers stony bottoms for its habitat. These fish can live at depths reaching approximately 1,400 metres. They are found across this northern region, adapting to the cold waters and rocky seabeds typical of the area.

Lemon sole
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Despite its name, the fish does not taste of lemon. The English title likely derives from the French term limande or sole limande. This French word may relate to lime, meaning a file tool, which references the skin texture. Others suggest it comes from limon, meaning silt. It is a popular food fish. In 2007, the European Union set a catch quota of 6,175 tonnes. UK fishermen caught most of the 3,716 tonnes landed that year. The Marine Conservation Society rates its sustainability between 3 and 4, depending on the fishing method and location.

Questions people ask about Lemon sole

Does the lemon sole taste like lemon?

No, the fish does not have the taste of lemon. The name likely originates from the French word limande, which may refer to the texture of its skin resembling a file tool, or to silt.

How large do lemon soles grow?

Adults can reach lengths of up to 65 centimetres and weigh about 3 kilograms. However, most individuals caught are smaller, typically measuring between 20 and 30 centimetres.

Where does the lemon sole live?

It is native to shallow seas around Northern Europe. The fish lives on stony bottoms and can be found at depths of up to 1,400 metres.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lemon sole", 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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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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