Longsnout Flathead, Thysanophrys chiltonae Schultz, 1966

Scientific name: Thysanophrys chiltonae
<i>Thysanophrys chiltonae</i> Click to enlarge image
A Longsnout Flathead at a depth of 12m, inside Mantis Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, November 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Thysanophrys
    Species
    chiltonae
    Family
    Platycephalidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 23 cm in length.

Introduction

The Longsnout Flathead has a long, spatulate snout. It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Longsnout Flathead has a long, spatulate snout. It is mostly white with brown saddles on its back. There is brown mottling on the head and sides. The fins have brown or white spots.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, the Longsnout Flathead is known from the northern to southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.