---
title: True soles (Soleidae)
scientific_name: Soleidae
common_name: True soles
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:22:23.454Z
tags: True soles, Soleidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles
---

# True soles (*Soleidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Soleidae
- **Body shape:** Flattened - Pressed flat top-to-bottom, lies on the bottom - rays, flounders, crocodilefishes.
- **Species listed here:** 4

## How to recognise this group

- flattened, oval to elongated body outline
- both eyes on one side of the head
- lies motionless on sand or rubble bottom
- cryptic mottled brown or grey patterns
- small size, typically under 30 cm long

True soles are benthic flatfish with strongly flattened, oval to elongated bodies. Adults have both eyes positioned on the right side of the head, typically resting on their blind (left) side on the seabed. Their cryptic, mottled brown and grey coloration provides effective camouflage with sandy or muddy substrates. Most species are small, generally reaching 10-30 cm (4-12 in) in length. The common name "sole" derives from the Latin "solea," referring to a sandal, a description of their flattened shape.

These flatfish inhabit shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms down to depths of 50 m (165 ft). Primarily ambush predators, they consume small invertebrates, particularly crustaceans. Soles bury themselves quickly into the substrate when disturbed, making them challenging for divers to spot.


## Species (4)

- [Dor’s Sole (Soleichthys dori)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles/dors-sole)
- [Finless Sole (Pardachirus marmoratus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles/finless-sole)
- [Long-Nose Sole (Aseraggodes macronasus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles/long-nose-sole)
- [Steinitz Sole (Aseraggodes steinitzi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles/steinitz-sole)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/true-soles)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*