Author: Linnaeus, 1758
FBname: European plaice
Comments: Adults live on mixed bottoms, the older the deeper the occurrence; small individuals are usually seen on bathing beaches (Ref. 9988).  Occurs on mud and sand bottom from a few meters down to about 100 m, at sea, estuaries and rarely entering freshwaters (Ref. 59043).  Reported as resident intertidal species with homing behavior (Ref. 32612).  Feed mainly on thin-shelled mollusks and polychaetes.  Batch spawner (Ref. 51846).  The most important flatfish for fisheries in Europe.  Utilized fresh and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).  Active at night in the very shallow water while day time is spent buried in the sand.  Stationary for long periods, tagging experiments have shown that their spawning migrations can be long.  Changes in the environmental conditions have been disadvantageous.  Populations in Kattegat and Danish belts decreased in 1980's and early 1990's due to discharge of nutritive salts.  Wadden sea is still an excellent nursery ground (Ref.35388).