European plaice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European plaice |
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Pleuronectes
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P. platessa
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| Pleuronectes platessa Linnaeus, 1758
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The European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is a type of flatfish that lives on the sandy bottoms of the sea. These fish are important for fishing and are found in many parts of Europe. Their home stretches from the cold Barents Sea in the north all the way to the warmer Mediterranean Sea.
You can easily spot a European plaice by its smooth, brown skin. It also has bright red or orange spots and a bony ridge right behind its eyes. These fish are bottom-feeders, meaning they eat small creatures found in the sand. Their diet includes worms called polychaetes, small crustaceans like tiny crabs or shrimp, and bivalves such as clams. Plaice can live in waters as deep as 200 meters (about 650 feet).
Plaice on Your Plate
European plaice is a very popular fish to eat in many countries. It's known for its mild flavor and tender meat.
In England
In England, plaice is often used as the fish in the famous dish called fish and chips. It's usually battered and deep-fried, then served with thick-cut fries.
In Denmark
In Denmark, plaice is one of the most commonly eaten fish. It's prepared in several delicious ways:
- Filleted and Fried: Plaice fillets are often coated in batter and pan-fried. This can be eaten hot or cold as an open sandwich topping. It's usually served with remoulade sauce and slices of lemon.
- With French Fries: Battered plaice can also be served hot with french fries and remoulade sauce as a main meal. This version of fish and chips is often a special meal for children in Danish restaurants.
- Easy to Cook: You can easily find frozen plaice in supermarkets. These are already breaded and ready to be baked or fried at home.
- Oven-Baked: Fresh plaice is also often baked in the oven for a healthy and tasty meal.
Images for kids
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Drawing of a plaice
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Watercolor of a plaice by Ana Madinabeitia, Norarte studio
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Reported landings of European plaice from 1960-2020 (Pleuronectes platessa) by ICES defined stocks Data from ICES.
See also
In Spanish: Platija para niños
