Another type of anglerfish, or sea toad:

On the Sturgeon and the Attilus

These are two fishes that, due to their striking resemblance to one another, sometimes confuse observers. However, they are distinct: the Sturgeon, or *Sturio*, is a creature of the open sea, whereas the *Attilus* is a river-dweller, particularly common in the Po. While the Sturgeon is rarely seen to reach a weight of three hundred pounds, Pliny recorded that the *Attilus* occasionally grows to a thousand pounds—an extraordinary and rare size.

Additionally, once the *Attilus* reaches a certain bulk, it sheds its rough scales. These scales are normally arranged in five rows—one along the ridge of the spine and two on each side. After shedding them, the fish becomes smooth to the touch. In terms of flavor, the Sturgeon is a magnificent delicacy for the palate; by contrast, the flesh of the *Attilus* is soft and not especially pleasant to eat. Its eyes are remarkably small given the massive size of its body. The reader may find further details regarding the various traits and qualities of both species in the *History of Fishes*. For now, we present here additional illustrations of the *Attilus* and the Sturgeon.