Brill
Scophthalmus rhombus
Habitat: Sandy and stony sea floor and estuaries
Depth: 5-50m
Food: Bottom living fish and crustaceans
Size: Up to 75cm
Lifespan: 6 years
Conservation Status: Data Deficient (DD)
The brill is a left sided flatfish very similar in appearance to the turbot – its top side is brown-grey in colour and very well camouflaged against the sea floor. Like the turbot it is an ambush predator feeding on small fish such as sand eels and sprat, but also prawns and small crabs. Female brill spawn nearly one million eggs and the fry join the plankton for their first few weeks.