TankBud

Drab sole

Achirus achirus

FreshwaterBrackishFish

Drab sole (Achirus achirus)
François-Louis Laporte, comte de Castelnau · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–86°F
25–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
14.6 in
37 cm
Minimum tank
98 gal
370 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Achiridae
Origin
South America

Overview

The drab sole is a large, peaceful flatfish for the bottom of a big freshwater or brackish tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Like all soles, the drab sole is not born flat but hatches as an upright larva with an eye on each side. As it grows, one eye travels over the top of the head to join the other. The adult lies on its side with both eyes facing up, watching for food to pass overhead.

Caring for the drab sole

Give the drab sole a broad tank of at least 98 gal (370 L), since it grows large and needs floor space. Cover a large area with a deep bed of fine, soft sand for it to bury into. Keep decor simple and open so it can glide along the bottom, and keep the water flow gentle.

It is sold as a freshwater fish and can live in fresh water, but it stays healthiest with a little marine salt added. Most keepers find it does best at a low-end brackish strength. Keep the water warm, at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

The drab sole spends the day buried with only its eyes showing and comes out to feed after dark. Feed sinking meaty foods such as bloodworms, tubifex, chopped prawn and mussel, ideally in the evening.

It is peaceful and solitary, and it bothers nothing it cannot eat. Small fish and shrimp resting on the bottom may be taken at night. Choose tank mates that use the upper water and are not tiny. Aquarium breeding is not documented.

Good to know

The drab sole belongs to the family Achiridae, the American soles, a group of flatfishes. It grows far larger than most soles sold for aquariums. Its mottled brown coloring lets it disappear against the substrate. The drab soles in the trade are collected from the wild.

In the wild

The drab sole ranges through the coastal rivers, estuaries and lagoons of tropical South America and beyond. It moves between fresh and brackish water along the lower reaches of rivers.

Common questions

What size tank does a drab sole need?

A drab sole needs at least 98 gal (370 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a drab sole need?

A drab sole is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a drab sole eat?

A drab sole eats sinking meaty foods such as bloodworms, tubifex, chopped prawn and mussel. Feed it in the evening, because it comes out to feed after dark.

How big does a drab sole get?

An adult drab sole reaches about 14.6 in (37 cm).

Related species