Inegocia japonica (Cuvier, 1829)
Japanese flathead
Flathead
Inegocia japonica
photo by Adams, M.J.

Family:  Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 7 - 85 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: widespread, from Sri Lanka and India north to southern Japan; south to the Philippines; South China Sea; Gulf of Thailand; Indonesia; Papua New Guinea; the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819); Australia from Cockburn Sound, Western Australia to Moreton Bay, Queensland. A record from Reunion is based on a single specimen (MNHN 6846, holotype of Platycephalus borboniensis) that seems to be in error (Ref. 33528).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Preopercular spines usually 3, upper spine short, subequal with next; small accessory spine usually present. Suborbital ridge usually smooth except for two spines under eye. Interopercular flap present.
Biology:  Found on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Reported from Cape D'Aguilar (Ref. 33067); along the northern coast of Lantau Island (Ref. 126090); Hoi Ha Wan (Ref. 94637); and Tung Ping Chau (Ref. 129329). Also known from Mirs Bay, Tolo Channel, and Tolo Harbour (Ref. 126271). Juveniles were recorded from Starfish Bay and Three Fathoms Cove (Ref. 125536).


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