Grammoplites scaber (Linnaeus, 1758)
Rough flathead
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 45 - 90 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal through Malaysia, Indonesia to Bali and Celebes, Gulf of Thailand, Viet Nam, Hong Kong and southern Philippines. Also reported from the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). Records from the northern Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and east coast of Africa probably refer to other species.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13. Lateral line scales often 53, each scale with a backward directed spine that extends beyond rear margin of scale, especially along the caudal peduncle. Interorbital width 9% or more of head length.
Biology:  Taken by trawling over mud and sand at depths to about 55 m (Ref. 9790). Juveniles may enter brackish water.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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 Not for publication.