Onigocia pedimacula (Regan, 1908)
Broadband flathead
Onigocia pedimacula
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 15 - 110 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: widespread, from off Natal, South Africa to Karachi, Maldives, South China Sea, Philippines, Irian Barat (Teluk Berau), Northwest Shelf of Australia, Timor and Arafura seas, Great Barrier Reef, Guadalcanal and Tonga.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-11. No supraocular cirrus present. Infraorbital ridge entirely serrated over eye. Preopercular spines 3-5, slanting towards midline. Suborbital ridge with no smooth notch under eye. Antorbital margin with 2 antrorse spines. Lower side of head unicarinate. Lateral line scales frequently 30 or 31, anterior 2-6 (frequently 3) scales bearing spines. Iris lappet bilobed or crenate. Upper surface of eye smooth, no cirrus present. Pelvic fin with a prominent dark blotch in middle, a smaller dark blotch near base. Description: Characterized by mottled grey brown color; 4-6 brown or olive dark bands across back and side; anterior caudal peduncle with slightly forward slanting band; base of caudal fin with narrow band; brown spots and mottling on fins (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Taken by trawl over sand or coral rubble bottom at 15 to 110 m; also taken by SCUBA off coral or rocky slopes (Ref. 9790). Occurs near reefs (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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