Halaphritis platycephala Last, Balushkin & Hutchins, 2002

Family:  Bovichtidae (Thornfishes)
Max. size:  16.82 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 5 - 13 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Tasmania, Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-25; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-23; Vertebrae: 43-43
Biology:  Lives deep inside caves or under ledges in semi-exposed habitats in the near shore where light levels are low. Adapted to creeping around the bottom in cramped confines. In captivity, it crawls over the substrate rather than swim. Feeds on shrimps and other small crustaceans in captivity (Ref. 43123).
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 Not for publication.