PLATYCEPHALIDAE Cociella punctata, 16.7 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Cociella punctata, 5.0 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Cociella punctata (Cuvier, 1829) Spotted Flathead D I-VIII or IX + 10-12; A 11-12; P1 19-22; P2 I, 5; LLp 50-56; GR 5-7 (in total, usually 6). Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Suborbital ridge with 3 spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet simple and semicircular. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate patches. Interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Lateral line scales with single opening to exterior. Color: body and head reddish, grayish or brown above, whitish below, frequently with 5-6 dark bands crossing dorsal surface; 1st dorsal fin with broad submarginal dark band; second dorsal fin with small dark spots; anal and pelvic fins dusky; caudal fin usually with a broad dark band posteriorly or dark spots and horizontal streaks; pectoral fin spotted on upper half, dusky on lower. Size: maximum length about 35 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific; Vanuatu to Papua New Guinea, north to Taiwan, through Indonesia to Thailand, Pakistan, the Red Sea, and South Africa. Remarks: occurring frequently shallow coastal waters at depths to 30 m or less. Young to juvenile stages utilize mangrove habitat.