What is European plaice?
{{Taxobox | name = European plaice | image = Pleuronectes platessa.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = [[Animalia]] | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] | ordo = [[Pleuronectiformes]] | familia = [[Pleuronectidae]] | genus = ''[[Pleuronectes]]'' | species = '''''P. platessa''''' | binomial = ''Pleuronectes platessa'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758 }} '''European plaice''' (''Pleuronectes platessa'') is the name for a kind of [[fish]]. They are a commercially important [[flatfish]]. They live on the sandy bottoms of the European shelf. Its geographical range is from the [[Barents Sea]] to the [[Mediterranean]]. Plaice are characterised by their smooth, brown skin, red spots and bony ridge behind the eyes. The fish feeds on [[polychaete]]s, [[crustacean]]s and [[bivalve]]s. They can be found down to about 200 m. ==Gastronomy== In England they are often used as the fish in [[fish and chips]]. In [[Denmark|Danish]] [[cuisine]] they are one of the most commonly eaten fishes. Filleted, battered and pan-fried plaice is popular hot or cold as an [[open sandwich]] topping together with [[remoulade]] sauce and lemon slices. Battered plaice can also be served hot with [[french fries]] and remoulade sauce as a main dish; this [[fish and chips]] variant is commonly available as a children's special in Danish restaurants. Breaded frozen plaice, ready to be baked or fried at home, are readily available in supermarkets. Fresh plaice is also oven-baked. [[Image:Pleuronectes platessa.gif|thumb|right|225px|drawing]] <!-- ==References== * {{ITIS|ID=172902|taxon=Pleuronectes platessa|year=2006|date=30 January}} * {{FishBase_species|genus=Pleuronectes|species=platessa|year=2005|month=10}} *{{aut|Rijnsdorp, A.D.}} (1991) Changes in fecundity of female North Sea plaice (''Pleuronectes platessa'') between three periods since 1900. ICES Journal of Marine Science; '''48''': 253-280 *{{aut|Wimpenny, R.S.}} (1953) The plaice being the buckland lectures. Publisher Edward Arnold *{{aut|G