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Ratabulus diversidens (McCulloch, 1914) Freespine flathead |
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photo by
Dijkstra, K. |
| Family: | Platycephalidae (Flatheads) | |||
| Max. size: | 39.1 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 30 - 345 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: Eastern Australia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 80-93 anteroventrally slanted oblique scale rows above lateral line; snout length 29.5-32.3% HL, slightly decreasing proportionally with growth; pectoral fin length 13.9-15.8% SL; pelvic fin length 22.1-28.5% SL; nasal bone with tubercles in larger specimens; dorsal surface of head with large, pale to dark-brown irregularly shaped spots, body without spots dorsally; pelvic fin with large brown spots (Ref. 86254). | |||
| Biology: | Occurs over gravel bottom of the continental shelf and continental slope (Ref. 75154). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||