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Japanese scaldfish (Arnoglossus japonicus) — Bothidae

Japanese scaldfish

Arnoglossus japonicus
Family: Bothidae

The Japanese scaldfish (Arnoglossus japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
85.0–154.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Japanese scaldfish is a left-eyed flatfish (Bothidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the northwest Pacific around Japan. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flat, oval body with both eyes on the left side; the top is sandy mottled for camouflage, the underside white. As a bottom-bound ambush hunter it lies half-buried and seizes small fish, crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese scaldfish?

The Japanese scaldfish has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Japanese scaldfish live?

The Japanese scaldfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Japanese scaldfish get?

The Japanese scaldfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Japanese scaldfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese scaldfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse schurftvis sourced
English name
Japanese scaldfish sourced
Scientific name
Arnoglossus japonicus
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Japanese lefteye flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
85.0 verified
Max depth (m)
154.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Arnoglossus

More from the family Bothidae

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