PISCES : PLEURONECTIFORMES : PleuronectidaeBONY FISH

Limanda limanda (Linnaeus, 1758)

Dab


Limanda limanda

Description: The dab is similar in shape to the plaice and flounder and also has both eyes on the right-hand side of the body. The upper surface is usually pale brown in colour with scattered darker blotches and speckles, however the pectoral fins may be orange. The most distinctive characteristic of the dab is the lateral line which has a strong semi-circular curve above the pectoral fin. This species rarely grows to over 40cm long and most individuals are less than 30cm.

Habitat: The dab lives mainly on sandy seabeds and is usually encountered at depths between 20-40m. It feeds on brittlestars, small sea-urchins, hermit-crabs, amphipods, worms, molluscs and sand-eels.

Distribution: Common all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, particularly in the North Sea.

Similar Species: The dab is similar in overall appearance to the plaice and flounder but can be distinguished by the characteristic shape of the lateral line.

Key Identification Features:

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database



 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Limanda limanda (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZG8910 Accessed on 2025-02-15

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