About Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly called the lined sole, is a species of ray-finned flatfish found in the Western Atlantic. This species typically reaches a common length of 17 cm. It is often categorized as a trash fish during commercial trawling, and holds little to no economic value. The lined sole feeds on worms, crustaceans, and small fishes. It occurs mainly in brackish or hypersaline lagoons, on sandy-muddy estuary bottoms, and in the littoral zone. It hides within the substrate, leaving only its eyes uncovered to spot prey and predators. It can easily camouflage itself in its surroundings, may associate with reefs, and lives at depths down to 20 meters. It is commonly found across the Western Atlantic bight, ranging from Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico south to northern Argentina. A. lineatus is a broadly euryhaline species, meaning it has a wide tolerance for varying salinity levels. Individuals have been collected in near-fresh water in the upper sections of Florida's St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. Across at least part of its range, reproduction appears to take place year-round. Juveniles have a short planktonic life stage, and move quickly to a benthic lifestyle. The growth rate of this species is relatively slow.
