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Spotfin flathead (Onigocia pedimacula) — Platycephalidae

Spotfin flathead

Onigocia pedimacula

The Spotfin flathead (Onigocia pedimacula) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–110.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Spotfin flathead is a flathead (Platycephalidae) from shallow coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a strongly flattened, rearward-tapering, sandy body with a broad, bony, spiny head and eyes on top of the head. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms and seizes passing small fish and crustaceans. The sharp head and gill-cover spines can give a cut when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin flathead?

The Spotfin flathead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotfin flathead live?

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

How big does the Spotfin flathead get?

The Spotfin flathead grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Spotfin flathead dangerous to humans?

The Spotfin flathead can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekvoet-platkop sourced
English name
Spotfin flathead sourced
Scientific name
Onigocia pedimacula
Family
Platycephalidae
Other names
Broadband flathead sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Onigocia

More from the family Platycephalidae

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