PLATYCEPHALIDAE Platycephalus indicus, 11.6 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Bartail Flathead D I-VII-VIII + 13; A 13; P1 18-20; P2 I, 5; LLp 68-82. Body elongate. Head strongly depressed. Head spines on dorsal surface of head obscure in adults. Preopercle with 2 spines. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet simple elongated lobe. Teeth on vomer in single band. Finger-like interopercular flap present. Cheek region lacking skinny sensory tubes. Single short spine between 1st and 2nd dorsal fins present or absent. Lateral line scales with single opening to exterior. Color: body and head covered by many small spots, whitish below; 1st and 2nd dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins with dark spots; anal fin pale; caudal fin with 2 horizontal dark bands, single yellow blotch near middle of fin. Size: maximum length about 50 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific. Population in the eastern Mediterranean is migrant. Remarks: occurring in muddy or sandy shallow coastal waters. Records from Japan and Korea are doubtful.