Plaice

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

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

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

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

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

• Flatfish
• Fishing industry
• Bottom trawling

References

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  European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
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  American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)
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  World catch of European plaice 1950–2007
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  Catch comparison of European plaice 2007
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  World catch of American plaice 1950–2007
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  Catch comparison of American plaice 2007