Sole?

[simonas]

there is a fish advertised as a "Sole", its about 3 inches from what I can see and priced at £7. I've always wanted these but not long taken my brackish tank down

I mkight set another fr these but could they go with knight gobies anda green puffer or would the puffer be a threat

am I right in thinking you can't get a dfreshwater sole like this?

 

[Davo86]

Don't really know much about them but i'd say a green puffer would more than likely be a threat to them.

Just found an article by the one and only NMonks which will surely be of some help to you

 

[simonas]

cheers Davo

that was a good read I'm going to go for it and set a tank up for them, if they are still for sale tat is!!!

 

[nmonks]

Most of the "freshwater" flatfish in the trade are indeed brackish water species. The wisest approach is to keep them at a low-end salinity, around SG 1.005. This won't harm true freshwater species in the least, and it will help brackish species to settle down better.

The main problem with soles isn't so much water but diet. They're finicky feeders and often lose out when forced to compete with catfish and loaches. So choose tankmates carefully, and remember to feed your soles at night. While they may become more day active as they get used to aquarium life, initially at least they may be very shy.

Cheers, Neale

PS. If you look over the Brackish FAQ, there's a section on soles that may help you identify the species being offered.

 

[simonas]

I've reserved three sole, they've been there a month apparently so well settled at LFS and feeding ell on bloodworm and chopped lncefish apparently.

he owner of LFS said they cae in as Indian Sole?

will read your FAQ now Neale cheers

They alsohd waspfishin their which were lovely, never seen them i flesh before just in posts on here

 

[simonas]

now I'm confused!!

they look the most like Brachirus harmandi which is a true freshwater sole apparetly, its definately that shape and looks like it has a serrated edge like a leaf

 

[nmonks]

You don't identify Brachirus harmandi by its shape; they all have the same shape!

Brachirus harmandi is best identified by looking at its colouration from underneath. Unlike the other species, it tends to have a mottled brown and pink/white underside. All other traded species have a plain underside, either white or pinkish in colour.

Cheers, Neale

they look the most like Brachirus harmandi which is a true freshwater sole apparetly, its definately that shape and looks like it has a serrated edge like a leaf

 

[simonas]

lol Neale I only though that cos from your FAQ and the short list of different types of sole the body shape of the Sole I have seen matched that of the pic of Brachirus harmandi and the colour as well/ I do know though that these have a plain pinky white underside??

 

[nmonks]

If they have a plain underside, they're not Brachirus harmandi. There are, unfortunately, a variety of other Brachirus and Synaptura species that all look extremely similar. By default they should be treated as brackish water fish. Given soles are able to change the colours on the top surface at will, it's obviously not terribly useful going by colour! There are some differences in shape, but the reality is that many species are so similar that they are probably not identifiable by aquarists.

Cheers, Neale

lol Neale I only though that cos from your FAQ and the short list of different types of sole the body shape of the Sole I have seen matched that of the pic of Brachirus harmandi and the colour as well/ I do know though that these have a plain pinky white underside??

 

[simonas]

If they have a plain underside, they're not Brachirus harmandi. There are, unfortunately, a variety of other Brachirus and Synaptura species that all look extremely similar. By default they should be treated as brackish water fish. Given soles are able to change the colours on the top surface at will, it's obviously not terribly useful going by colour! There are some differences in shape, but the reality is that many species are so similar that they are probably not identifiable by aquarists.

Cheers, Neale

lol Neale I only though that cos from your FAQ and the short list of different types of sole the body shape of the Sole I have seen matched that of the pic of Brachirus harmandi and the colour as well/ I do know though that these have a plain pinky white underside??

cheers Neale

I erred on side of caution anyway and tank is set up for 1.005sg just waiting for a few days thn I'll go and pck em up along with the waspfish.

Do you think that knight gobies wold provide too much copetition for the food from the sole?

 

[nmonks]

They should be fine together, *provided* you put some food out at night for sole.

Cheers, Neale

Do you think that knight gobies wold provide too much copetition for the food from the sole?

 

[simonas]

well I got three Sole and 1 Waspfish

The waspfish is tiny he eat a little brine shrimp last night, hes not ver yactiv though the ey were in the shop tank

The sole are great, when I switched lights out last night they came out and appeared to eat some of the brine shrimp

their eyes lookfuny sticking out the sand when burie d in it

 

[simonas]

2 weeks on these have settled in quite well

they are terrible at hiding they can be seen under the sand dotted around, one i pretty active when tank lights out and just garage light on and he can be clearly seen eating whhicih is good, I just hope the otherto do the same