Cociella punctata, FRLM 30665, 5.0 cm SL
Cociella punctata (Cuvier, 1829)
Spotted flathead
|
|
D1 I - VIII or IX; D2 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 absent. 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; first dorsal fin with broad submarginal dark band; second dorsal fin with small dark spots; anal and pelvic fins dusky; pectoral fin spotted on upper half, dusky on lower; caudal fin usually with a broad dark band posteriorly or dark spots and horizontal streaks. 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.
|
 
|
|