Ratabulus diversidens (McCulloch, 1914)
Freespine flathead
Ratabulus diversidens
photo by Dijkstra, K.

Family:  Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Max. size:  39.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 30 - 345 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Eastern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 80-93 anteroventrally slanted oblique scale rows above lateral line; snout length 29.5-32.3% HL, slightly decreasing proportionally with growth; pectoral fin length 13.9-15.8% SL; pelvic fin length 22.1-28.5% SL; nasal bone with tubercles in larger specimens; dorsal surface of head with large, pale to dark-brown irregularly shaped spots, body without spots dorsally; pelvic fin with large brown spots (Ref. 86254).
Biology:  Occurs over gravel bottom of the continental shelf and continental slope (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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