Platycephalidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Platycephalidae |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Fringe-Lipped Flathead (Sunagocia otaitensis) | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Suborder: | Platycephaloidei |
| Family: | Platycephalidae Swainson, 1839 |
| Genera | |
Imagine a fish that's a master of disguise, blending perfectly with the ocean floor! These amazing creatures are called flatheads, and they belong to a family of marine fish known as Platycephalidae. They are distant relatives of the spiky lionfish and are part of a larger group of fish called Perciformes. Flatheads are known for their unique, flattened heads, which help them hide and hunt in the sandy or muddy parts of the ocean.
Contents
Meet the Flatheads!
Flatheads are a fascinating group of fish found in the ocean. They are famous for their very flat heads, which look a bit like a trowel or an artist's spatula. This special shape helps them live on the seabed, where they can easily hide from both predators and prey.
What's in a Name?
The name "Platycephalidae" comes from ancient Greek words. "Platy" means "flat," and "kephale" means "head." So, their scientific name perfectly describes their most noticeable feature: their flat heads! The family was first described in 1839 by an English scientist named William Swainson.
How to Spot a Flathead
Flatheads are usually small to medium-sized fish. Most species grow to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. However, some types, especially in the genus Platycephalus, can grow much larger, even over 1 meter (3 feet) in length!
Their Unique Look
The most striking thing about flatheads is their head shape. While the rest of their body looks like many other fish, their heads are wide, triangular, and very flat from top to bottom. Their eyes are located on the top of their heads. This is perfect for their lifestyle, as they spend most of their time resting on the ocean floor. They also have two separate dorsal fins on their backs. The first one has six to nine strong spines.
Where Do Flatheads Live?
You can find flatheads in the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region. This huge area stretches from the eastern coast of Africa all the way to the central Pacific Ocean. Interestingly, a few species have even made their way into the eastern Mediterranean Sea. They traveled there from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal.
Flatheads are bottom-dwelling fish, meaning they live close to the seabed. They can be found in various depths, from shallow waters of about 10 meters (33 feet) down to the edge of the continental shelf, around 300 meters (984 feet) deep. They often rest directly on the sand or mud, sometimes even burying themselves partially to blend in.
Life as a Flathead
Flatheads are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their diet mainly consists of small fish and crustaceans, like crabs and shrimp. They are expert ambush predators. They lie perfectly still, buried in the sand or mud, with only their eyes peeking out. When an unsuspecting small fish or crustacean swims too close, the flathead strikes incredibly fast, opening its large mouth to swallow its prey whole!
While many ambush predators stay in one place, some flathead species actually travel long distances. They might move to different areas for feeding or to find mates during what are called spawning migrations.
Flathead Families
The Platycephalidae family includes many different types of flatheads. There are about 17 known groups, or genera, with around 86 different species! Here are some of the genera:
- Ambiserrula Imamura, 1996 (monotypic)
- Cociella Whitley, 1940 (6 species)
- Cymbacephalus Fowler, 1938 (4 species)
- Elates D. S. Jordan & Seale, 1907 (monospecific)
- Grammoplites Fowler, 1904 (4 species)
- Inegocia D. S. Jordan & W. F.Thompson, 1913 (3 species)
- Insidiator D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1900 (3 species)
- Kumococius Matsubara
& Ochiai, 1955 (monospecific)
- Leviprora Whitley, 1931 (2 species)
- Onigocia D. S. Jordan & W. F. Thompson, 1913 (9 species)
- Papilloculiceps Fowler & Steinitz, 1956 (monotypic)
- Platycephalus Bloch, 1795 (19 species)
- Ratabulus D. S. Jordan & Hubbs, 1925 (10 species)
- Rogadius D. S. Jordan & Richardson, 1908 (7 species)
- Solitas Imamura, 1996 (monotypic)
- Sunagocia Imamura, 2003 (5 species)
- Thysanophrys Ogilby, 1898 (10 species)
Flatheads and People
Flatheads are quite popular fish for both commercial fishing and recreational anglers. Many people enjoy catching them with a rod and line. The larger species are even considered "game fish" because they offer a good challenge to fishermen. In some places, like Japan, scientists are even experimenting with aquaculture programs to raise flatheads in controlled environments.
See also
