Arnoglossus imperialis (Rafinesque, 1810)
Imperial scaldfish
photo by García Rodríguez, M.

Family:  Bothidae (Lefteye flounders)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 350 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Scotland to Namibia (Ref. 27121), including the western Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 95-106; Anal soft rays: 74-82. Eyes separated by a bony ridge, the lower eye a little in advance of the upper. In males, the second to sixth and in females, the second to fifth dorsal fin rays thickened and prolonged. Males with distinct black spot on posterior part of pelvic fins; in females, this spot present but greyish and often indistinct.
Biology:  Found on sand, mud, shell and corals (Ref. 27121). Caught with bottom and pelagic trawls (Ref. 2683).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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