Fish
Mediterranean scaldfish
Arnoglossus laterna
(VIIf) Bristol Channel, (VIIg) Northern Celtic Sea, (VIIh) Southern Celtic Sea, (VIII) Bay of Biscay
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
11 cm
Minimum size
Description
It is a left-eyed flatfish, meaning that both of its eyes are located on the left side of its body. Its body is very thin and almost translucent, hence its name, "lanternfish." A major characteristic is the fragility of its scales. They detach very easily at the slightest touch, leaving the skin exposed (hence the English name "scaldfish," evoking a fish scalded by hot water). The dorsal fin begins in front of the upper eye. The first rays of the dorsal fin are not particularly elongated, unlike in other species of the genus Arnoglossus. Its ocular side is grayish-brown or pinkish, sometimes with small, diffuse dark spots. The blind (lower) side is whitish. It is a small fish. Its average size is 12 cm, with a maximum recorded length of 25 cm.
Habitat
A benthic fish that lives on the seabed or slightly buried in it. It prefers soft substrates, mainly mud, silty sand, or fine gravel. It is found on the continental shelf, generally at depths of 10 to 100 meters, although it can descend to depths of up to 200 meters. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, worms) and occasionally on small fish.
Distribution
It is widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is found from northern Norway and the coast of Scotland down to Angola in the south. It is very common throughout the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Bay of Biscay. It is also found in the Black Sea.