Small-eyed flathead
📖 Overview
Found in shallow coastal areas and reef flats to about 50 m. Usually captured by spear fishing or with ichthyocide, occasional specimen taken by trawling .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12. No pit present behind upper eye. Preopercular spines short, usually 2 subequal. Infraorbital ridge usually smooth over eye. Suborbital ridge bearing 1slight spine just behind eye, spine often obscure or lacking in adults. No dermal papillae on upper eye. Caudal fin with a large elongate dark blotch along upper and lower margins. : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Small-eyed flathead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 10 - 50 m . Tropical Central Pacific: Philippines, Borneo, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, the Arafura Sea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inegocia bosschei | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
| Levanaora bosschei | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
| Papilloculiceps bosschei | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
| Platycephalus bosschei | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
| Platycephalus muelleri | Klunzinger | 1879 | Synonym |
| Platycephalus mulleri | Klunzinger | 1879 | Synonym |
| Suggrundus bosschei | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
| Thysanophrys mulleri | Klunzinger | 1879 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
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