New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Scaldback

Arnoglossus kessleri Schmidt, 1915
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
10–200 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found on the upper part of the continental shelf. Feed on small fishes and invertebrates. Breeding period between May and August .

Scientific Name
Arnoglossus kessleri
Authority
Schmidt, 1915
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
13 cm
Depth Range
10–200 m
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Scaldback is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Scaldback is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Scaldback is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 200 m . Subtropical; 47°N - 30°N, 6°W - 42°E

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.1±0.63
Food Items

small fishes and invertebrates

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00708 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
13cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Schmidt, 1915

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Scaldback is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.5 g
Omega-3 (total) 377 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Scaldback has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Scaldback ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.