PLATYCEPHALIDAE


Thysanophrys chiltonae, 11.8 cm SL
(photo by Richard Winterbottom)



Thysanophrys chiltonae, 13.5 cm SL
(photo by Richard Winterbottom)


Thysanophrys chiltonae
Schultz, 1966
Longsnout Flathead

D I - VII-VIII + 11-12 (usually 11); A 12; P1 19-22; P2 I, 5; LLp 50-54.

Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Suborbital ridge with many spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet with short branches. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate patches. Interopercular margin incised, forming a broad lobe. Cheek region completely covered by skinny sensory tubes. Lateral line scales with 2 openings to exterior. Color: body light tan mottled with numerous white spots, white below, with about 5-7 brown bands crossing back; 1st dorsal fin with a large black submarginal blotch; 2nd dorsal fin with alternating white and brown spots on rays; anal fin pale; caudal fin with rows of small white spots separating 2-3 dark bands; pectoral fin white below, with several small brown blotches in middle and a series of blackish blotches above; pelvic fin with a prominent blackish blotch near base. Size: maximum length about 22 cm, commonly to 16 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo- West Pacific, ranging from Red Sea to southern Japan and to Maquesa Islands, including Malaysia, Indonesia, northern Australia, and Mariana and Marshall Islands. Remarks: inhabits sand area adjacent to coral reefs to a depth of ca. 38 m.