Witch (lefteye flounder)

Arnoglossus scapha

Arnoglossus scapha (English common name: Witch ) is a species of the family of Butte. Johann Reinhold Forster's 1801 manuscript was published posthumously with the scientific first description by Johann Gottlob Schneider Theaenus.

Description

Arnoglossus scapha reached a size of 20 to 40 centimeters. Both eyes are on the left side of the head, while the fish is usually to the right side on the bottom of the water. The dorsal and anal fins that surround almost completely flattened oval -shaped body. The lateral line forms a strong arch over the pectoral fin. The back is gray or light brown with many small black and yellow dots. The underside is whitish.

Distribution and habitat

Arnoglossus scapha occurs in the coastal waters of China, New Zealand and the West Pacific. The species lives on the ocean floor at depths to 400 m.

Way of life

The food of Arnoglossus scapha consists of worms, small crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The spawning season extends from August to April. The larvae go through a planktonic stage near the surface before they migrate to the ocean floor. Because of her watery flesh and the many small bones, the species has no commercial value in fishing. Arnoglossus scapha is the main food of the rare Warzenscharbe.