The Brill, which is also frequently referred to as the Barbue, is a large flatfish belonging to the Scophthalmidae family. It is the closest relative of the Turbot and closely resembles it in both appearance and meat quality. Like the Turbot, the Brill is a left-eyed flatfish, meaning both eyes are on the left side of its body. This side faces upward when the fish is lying on the seabed.

However, significant differences exist to distinguish it from the Turbot. The body of the Brill is more oval rather than nearly circular. The skin is smooth and covered with regular soft scales without the hard bony tubercles found on its relative. Additionally, the first rays of its dorsal fin near the mouth are free and branched to form a small characteristic fringe or lace. The colour ranges from light brown to beige, with small spots resembling freckles that offer perfect camouflage in the sand.

It lives exclusively on the bottom and prefers sandy and muddy seabeds where it can bury itself slightly. The fish is usually encountered at depths from 5 to 50 metres. It is a euryhaline species, which means it can tolerate changes in salinity and consequently often enters river estuaries and brackish waters to feed.

The animal is a very fast and voracious ambush predator. It remains hidden in the sand and attacks passing prey instantly. It feeds mainly on other benthic fish, such as gobies and sand eels, as well as small hake, and on larger crustaceans and molluscs.

Fisheries & Economic Value

It represents an important commercial catch, although it is caught in smaller quantities than the Turbot. It is caught mainly with set nets and bottom trawls and sometimes with longlines. Its commercial value is high, but it is usually sold slightly cheaper than the Turbot. The meat is of exceptional quality, white, with a sweet, fine flavour, and easy to fillet. Many prefer it because it is easier to clean than the Turbot due to its lack of bony tubercles and its slightly softer texture.