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Devil flathead (Onigocia spinosa) — Platycephalidae

Devil flathead

Onigocia spinosa

The Devil flathead (Onigocia spinosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–250.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The devil flathead is a flathead (Platycephalidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a flattened, rearward-tapering, brown-mottled body with a broad, flat head set with spines and ridges and eyes on top. As an ambush hunter it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms and snaps at lightning speed at passing shrimp and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Devil flathead?

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

Where does the Devil flathead live?

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

How big does the Devil flathead get?

The Devil flathead grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Devil flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Devil flathead is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Duivel-platkop sourced
English name
Devil flathead sourced
Scientific name
Onigocia spinosa
Family
Platycephalidae
Other names
Largescaled spiny flathead; Midget flathead; Spiny flathead verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 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)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 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 Onigocia

More from the family Platycephalidae

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