Thysanophrys rarita Knapp, 2013
Somali flathead
Thysanophrys rarita
photo by Knapp, L.

Family:  Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Max. size:  12.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 6 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean, Somalia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 27-27. This species is tentatively placed under Thysanophrys. It is distinguished by having the following characters: 6 preocular spines; 11 dorsal- and anal-fin rays; suborbital ridge with about 25 small spines; about 5 small preorbital spines; diagonal scale count, 10 rows; anterior 14 lateral-line scales with small spines; iris lappet with crenate edge (Ref. 92868).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.