| Spotted flathead | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Platycephalidae |
| Genus: | Cociella |
| Species: | C. punctata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cociella punctata (Cuvier, 1829) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
The spotted flathead (Cociella punctata) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Indo-Pacific.
The spotted flathead was first formally described in 1829 as Platycephalus punctatus with its type localities given as Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands and Madagascar. [3] This taxon was previously regarded as a junior synonym of the crocodile flathead (C. crocodilus) but was recognised again as a valid species in 1996. [4] The specific name punctata, means "spotted", a reference to the small dark reddish brown spots on the head and flanks when preserved in alcohol. [5]
The spotted flathead has 9 spines in the first dorsal fin and 10-12 soft rays on the second dorsal fin with 11 - 12 soft rays in the anal fin. The highest spine on the preoperculum only extends to around half-way to the margin of the operculum. There is a spine on the preorbital and the infraorbital ridge is typically smooth over the front half of the eye. The suborbital ridge has no spines to the rear of the eye. There is an interopercular flap and the Iris lappet simple and semicircular. There are many small dark spots on back extending to downward past the lateral line, these are less dense to the rear. There are 5-6 dark bands across the back, but in small juveniles there may only be a wide saddle running across the first dorsal fin and a slender saddle near the rear of the second dorsal fin. This species has a maximum published total length of 35 cm (14 in) although a total length of 25 cm (9.8 in) is more typical. [2]
The spotted flathead is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from South Africa to the Red Sea east to Vanuatu, north to Taiwan and south to Papua New Guinea. It is replaced by the crocodile flathead in the northwestern Pacific and by the brownmargin flathead (C. hutchinsi) in Australia. [2] This species is commonly recorded in shallow coastal waters sitting on the seabed at depths between 10 and 300 m (33 and 984 ft). The juveniles use mangroves and stream mouths as nursery grounds while the adults prefer silty areas. [1]
The spotted flathead is targeted by commercial fisheries but at a small scale. [1]
Platycephalus is a genus of mostly marine, demersal ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae. They are found in the eastern Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
The tentacled flathead, also known as the Indian Ocean crocodilefish, Madagascar flathead or longhead flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. This species is in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, having invaded as a Lessepsian migrant through the Suez Canal. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Papilloculiceps.
De Beaufort's flathead, also known as the crocodilefish or giant flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.
The bartail flathead, also known as the Indian flathead, gobi or Indo-Pacific flathead, is a species of largely marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. This species is found in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Ocean, and has invaded the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Cociella is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. These fishes are found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Cymbacephalus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. These fishes are found in the Indo-Pacific region.
The dwarf flathead is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Indo-Pacific. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Elates.
The spiny flathead, also known as the whitefin flathead or Bengal flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific region. This species is the only known member of its genus.
The Longhead flathead, also known as the crocodile flathead or weed flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. This species is endemic to reefs in the coastal waters of southern Australia.
Rogadius is a genus of marine, demersal ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae. These fishes are native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
Insidiator is a genus of marine, demersal ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae. These fishes are native to the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
Thysanophrys is a genus of marine, demersal ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae. These fishes are native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
Platycephalus laevigatus, the rock flathead, black flathead, grass flathead, king flathead, marbled-bellied flathead, Port Albert flathead, smooth flathead or Southern rock flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. This species is endemic to Australia.
Platycephalus bassensis the Southern sand flathead, Bass flathead, bay flathead, common flathead, sand flathead, sandy, sandy flathead, slimy flathead or yanks, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is endemic to Australia.
The crocodile flathead is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the western Pacific Ocean.
The brownmargin flathead is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found off northern Australia.
Cociella martingomoni is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Andaman Sea.
Cociella somaliensis is a species of demersal, marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the north western Indian Ocean.
Inegocia japonica, the Japanese flathead, rusty flathead or smooth flathead, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific region.
The halfspined flathead is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. This species is found in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
