274 MARKETABLE BRITISH MARINE FISHES 



shallower water, about 30 fathoms, and may be considered to be 

 in their second year. 



In the Irish Survey the smallest mature male was found to 

 be 10 inches long, female 12 inches, while the minimum sizes of 

 fish actually ripe were loh inches and 12 inches respectively. As 

 the minimum of the s/>eni fish is not mentioned, the numbers 

 of specimens to which the above figures refer are 100 males, 

 34 females. No effort has yet been made to discover the 

 maximum size of immature specimens. 



The Scaldfish or Scaldback {Aiiioghssus laterna). 



Disti)ignisliing Characters. — This fish differs from the top-knots 

 in its less shortened form, and smaller mouth, which is scarcely 

 larger than in plaice or dabs. Its most striking peculiarity is 

 the delicacy of the skin, which has given it its common name. 

 Friction in the trawl always removes nearly all the skin, leaving 

 the flesh bare as though the fish had been scalded. The scales 

 are very thin, those of the upper side larger and having a row of 

 minute spines along the posterior edge ; those of the lower side 

 smaller, without spines. The fin-rays are numerous, ^y to 10 1 

 in the dorsal, 64 to 78 in the ventral. The dorsal commences on 

 the snout. The teeth are small and in a single row. In the 

 males above S\ inches long the dorsal rays from the 2nd to the ' 

 6th inclusive are much elongated, and likewise those of the pelvic 

 fin. This occurs to a slight extent in the females above the same 

 size, but is absent in both sexes below that size. 



Names. — This fish is called the megrim by Couch, and 

 apparently this name is applied to it in Cornwall, not to the 

 Lepidorhoinbus uiegastoina ; it is also called the lantern-fish ; 

 but scaldfish is the most convenient and appropriate name 

 for it. 



Habitat. — Mediterranean to Norway. Has been found on 

 the east coast of Ireland as well as on the west, and in the 

 Firth of Clyde ; it is rare, if not very rare, off the east coast of 

 Scotland and in the North Sea. 



Size. — The largest specimens (males) were 8 inches long, 

 taken near Plymouth. The food has not been ascertained. 



Brecdiyig. — Spawning occurs in April and May, and perhaps 



