PLATYCEPHALIDAE Rogadius pristiger, 12.1 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Rogadius pristiger (Cuvier, 1829) Thorny Flathead D I-VIII + 10-12 (usually 11); A 10-12 (usually 11); P1 20-24 (usually 22-23); P2 I, 5; LLp 49-55. Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Single ocular spine present. Suborbital ridge with fine serrations. Preopercule with 4 spines, including one strong antrorse lowermost spine. Eye without ocular flaps. Iris lappet bilobed. Teeth on vomer in 2 separate patches. Interopercular flap absent. Cheek region with well developed skinny sensory tubes. Lateral line scales with two opening to exterior. Color: body and head brownish above, whitish below; 3-4 dusky bands crossing back. First dorsal fin with submarginal blackish band. Second dorsal fin with many dark brownish spots. Pectoral and pelvic fins with many small dark spots. Caudal fin with a broad dusky submarginal band and a narrow white margin. Size: maximum length about 21 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific, including Madagascar, Red Sea, Andaman Sea, Philippines, northwestern Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Remarks: occurring over mud and sand bottoms at depths to about 80 m.