Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Perciformes (Order) > Scorpaenoidei (Suborder) > Platycephalidae (Family) > Thysanophrys (Genus)

Platycéphale clin d'œil, Longsnout flathead, Langsnoet-platkop, Kuroshimagochi, クロシマゴチ, 大眼瞳鯒, 窄眶牛尾魚,

Synonymes
Cociella chiltonae (Schultz, 1966)
Inegocia chiltonae (Schultz, 1966)
Platycephalus chiltonae (Schultz, 1966)
Thysanophrys chiltoni (Schultz, 1966)
Thysanophrys cluitouse (Schultz, 1960)

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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1 + 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12 (usually: 11); Anal soft rays: 12; Pectoral fin rays: 19-22 (usually: 20-21); Pelvic fin rays: I, 5; Body elongate, slightly depressed. Head large, length: ~38% in SL, moderately depressed; Snout elongate; Orbit diameter: 1.3-1.7 in Snout Length; Head long: 2.4-2.9 in SL; Preorbital spines: 1-3; Preocular spine: 1; Supraorbital ridge smooth over anterior half of eye, with serrations posteriorly; Suborbital ridge with about: 6-7 spines; Eyes large: ~19-24 % in HL, least interorbital width: 3.8-7.2 times in greatest eye diameter; Teeth on vomer in two separate patches; Preopercular spines: 3, upper longest, accessory spine usually absent; Interopercular margin incised, forming a broad lobe; Total gill rakers on first gill arch: 5-7 (usually: 6). Scales small, finely ctenoid dorsally, cycloid below, covering body and most of head behind eyes; Lateral line scales slightly smaller than adjacent scales on side, oblique scale rows slanting downward above lateral line about equal to number of lateral line scales; Lateral line scales: 50-55 (usually: 52-53), anterior: 1-3 (usually: 3) lateral line scales bearing a small spine. First dorsal fin spinous with short base, first spine very short, detached, following spines much longer. Second dorsal fin with moderately long base, anterior rays longest, nearly as long as longest first dorsal spines. Anal fin opposite and slightly longer-based than second dorsal fin. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Pectoral fins moderately small. Pelvic fins long, extending past anal fin origin; Based below centre of pectoral fins. Nasal spines with elongate base. Iris lappet with short branches with bifid tips. Max. length: 25.0 cm TL, common length: 18.0 cm TL. Depth range: 0 - 100 m, usually: 0 - 20 m.

Color
Well-camouflaged to match the surroundings. Body light tan, mottled with numerous white spots dorsally, whitish below, 5-7 brown bands across back; Lips with alternating white and brown bands; A broad brown suborbital bar present. Caudal fin with weak brown bars; Pectoral fin with numerous dark spots forming weak bars; Pelvic fin with 3-5 brown bars.

Etymology
Thysanophrys: from Greek, thysanos = fringe or tassel + from Ancient Greek, ophrûs = eyebrow. Referring to series of dermal appendages above eye of Thysanophrys cirronasus.
chiltonae: in honor of the crew of USS Chilton, which hosted survey team led by Schultz studying reef fishes after the Bikini Atoll (Marshall Islands) nuclear tests.
Original description: Thysanophrys chiltonae Schultz, 1966 - Type locality: Coral head near north end of Lagoon at Rongelap Island, Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands, western Pacific, depth 18 feet.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), Mozambique, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar and Mascarenes (Mauritius), east to Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands and Marquesas Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands (Japan), south to Western Australia, Queensland (Australia), New Caledonia and Tonga.

Biology
Inhabits sand areas adjacent to coral reefs. Seldom noticed for it buries itself in the sand (often partially). Usually in small groups . Feeds on crustaceans, crabs and prawns, also on fishes. May be taken in trawls or on hook and line. Venomous spines.

Similar species
Thysanophrys celebica (Bleeker, 1855) - Reported from New Caledonia.

Last update: 29, August 2024