Presentation
Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) is a marine flatfish of the Scophthalmidae family, close to the turbot. Its oval body, flattened laterally, has smooth skin devoid of the bony tubercles characteristic of turbot. Its brownish to grayish, speckled coloring allows it to blend into sandy or muddy bottoms. It lives on continental shelves, often near coasts, and feeds on small fish and crustaceans. A popular species in commercial fishing, it is present in the Mediterranean, including the Tunisian coasts.
Flattened oval body, eyes located on the left side, smooth skin without bony tubercles unlike turbot. Grayish-brown coloring with dark spots allowing effective mimicry with the substrate. The mouth is wide and the teeth are well developed, adapted to a carnivorous diet.
Characteristics
Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.
Habitat and distribution
The Brill prefers the sandy, muddy or gravelly bottoms of the continental shelf, from the coastal zone to moderate depths. It also occasionally frequents estuaries and shallow coastal areas.
CURRENT RANGE
The species is present along the eastern Atlantic coasts, from Norway to Morocco, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It is regularly observed along the Tunisian coast, where it is the subject of artisanal and commercial fishing.
Behaviour
A solitary and benthic fish, the Brill spends most of its time on the bottom, partially buried in sand or mud. It is most active at dusk and at night when hunting. It makes seasonal movements between shallow coastal areas and deeper waters depending on the temperature.
Reproduction
Reproduction takes place in spring and summer, during which females lay large numbers of pelagic eggs. These eggs and larvae drift with the currents before the juveniles metamorphose and adopt the benthic lifestyle typical of flatfish. Sexual maturity is reached after a few years.
Peculiarities
Unlike turbot, Brill has completely smooth skin, without bony tubercles, which is the main criterion for distinguishing between these two closely related species. Its two eyes are on the left side of the head, a characteristic common to flatfish in this family.
Threats and conservation
Overfishing is the main pressure on Brill populations in certain areas. The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly through pollution and coastal urbanization, can also affect juvenile nursery areas.
Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.
References
Profile updated 22 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.
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CONSERVATION STATUS
Least concern (LC)
IUCN source, latest published assessment.
Species health
Documented diseases for this species.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a veterinary consultation. If you have any concerns about your animal's health, consult a veterinarian.
Similar animals
Other species documented in Animalpedia.
