Home · Bothidae · Scaldback
Scaldback (Arnoglossus kessleri) — Bothidae

Scaldback

Arnoglossus kessleri
Family: Bothidae

The Scaldback (Arnoglossus kessleri) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Scaldback is a left-eyed flatfish (Bothidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. 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 Scaldback?

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

Where does the Scaldback live?

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

How big does the Scaldback get?

The Scaldback grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Scaldback dangerous to humans?

No, the Scaldback is harmless to humans.

Is the Scaldback edible?

Yes, the Scaldback is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kesslers schurftvis sourced
English name
Scaldback sourced
Scientific name
Arnoglossus kessleri
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Scaldback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →