Rock Sole Fillet

Rock soles grow to approximately 60 cm and can live in excess of 20 years. In the Gulf of Alaska, the northern rock sole reaches 50% maturity at 328 mm total length at an average of 7 years.  In the Gulf of Alaska, the southern rock sole reaches 50% maturity at 347 mm total length at an average of 9 years.  Adhesive eggs are laid on the bottom and hatch in 6-25 days, depending upon temperature. The larvae develop in the upper water column consuming small zooplankton. Metamorphosis occurs at about 15 mm, and small juveniles can be very abundant in shallow, near-shore waters where they consume polychaetes and small crustaceans. Age-0 northern rock sole is the most abundant flatfish in fine-mesh trawl collections in waters off Kodiak Island (1-30 m depth), sometimes reaching densities of several per square meter. The rock soles are highly cryptic in coloration and movement, and continue to eat small invertebrates throughout their lives in the benthos.