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Spanish ling (Molva macrophthalma) — Lotidae

Spanish ling

Molva macrophthalma
Family: Lotidae

The Spanish ling (Molva macrophthalma) is a saltwater fish of the family Lotidae that grows up to 108 cm.

Length
108 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–1000.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spanish ling or blue ling is an elongate cod relative (Lotidae) from the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a slender, brownish body with long dorsal and anal fins, large eyes and a small chin barbel. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives on the continental slope between about thirty and a thousand metres and hunts fish and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spanish ling?

The Spanish ling has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Spanish ling live?

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

How big does the Spanish ling get?

The Spanish ling grows to a maximum of about 108 cm.

Is the Spanish ling dangerous to humans?

No, the Spanish ling is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mediterrane leng sourced
English name
Spanish ling sourced
Scientific name
Molva macrophthalma
Family
Lotidae
Other names
Blue ling; Mediterranean ling; Spanish ling verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
108.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Molva

More from the family Lotidae

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