PLATYCEPHALIDAE Rogadius serratus, 16.3 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Rogadius serratus (Cuvier, 1829) Serrated Flathead D I-VIII + 11 (rarely 12); A 11; P1 20-23 (usually 21-22); P2 I, 5; LLp 50-54. Body elongate. Head moderately depressed. Single ocular spine present; its base with small accessory spine(s). Suborbital ridge with fine serrations. Preopercule with 4 spines, including single short 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; body with several dark brownish bands and spots. First dorsal fin with submarginal blackish band. Second dorsal fin with many dark brownish spots. Pectoral fin with many irregular dark brownish bands in upper portion, blackish in lower half; posterior margin of the fin white. Pelvic fin blackish; posterior margin of the fin white. Caudal fin with a blackish band basally and posteriorly. Size: maximum length about 24 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific, including Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Philippines and northern Queensland. Remarks: occurring usually over sand around coral reefs to a depth of 11 m.