ANIMAL SPECIES:Deepsea Flathead, Hoplichthys haswelli McCulloch, 1907
The Deepsea Flathead can be recognised by its very large flattened head. The species occurs on soft substrates in continental shelf and continental slope depths between 200 m and 1500 m.
Alternative Name/s
Armoured Flathead, Ghost Flathead, Glassy Flathead, Spiny FlatheadIdentification
The Deepsea Flathead can be recognised by its very large flattened head and the scutes along the sides of the body. There are four strong spines on the sides of the head with smaller spines between. The body is pinkish yellow above and pale below.
The species can be separated from four other species of Hoplichthys (H.citrinus, H.filamentosus, H.ogilbyi and H. regani) that occur in Australian waters by its large size, wide interorbital space, vomer with two posterior extensions and no elongated dorsal fin spines. It looks similar to the flatheads (family Platycephalidae) but can easily be distinguished by the row of scutes along both sides of the body.
Size range
The species grows to 43 cm in length.Similar Species
See IdentificationDistribution
The species occurs in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to eastern Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Deepsea Flathead specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Deepsea Flathead is a benthic species that occurs on soft substrates in continental shelf and continental slope depths between 200 m and 1500 m.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
The species is reputedly good eating but is not retained in commercial catches due to the small amount of edible muscle even from large individuals.
Classification
- Species:
- haswelli
- Genus:
- Hoplichthys
- Family:
- Hoplichthyidae
- Order:
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
- McGrouther, M.A.. 1999. Hoplichthyidae. Ghost flatheads (spiny flatheads). Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (ed). pp 2422-2524, 4 figs In The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 4. FAO species identification guide for Fishery purposes. FAO.
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Deepsea Flathead, Hoplichthys haswelli View full size
Cate Lowe
© Australian Museum
Deepsea Flathead - roof of mouth View full size
Cate Lowe
© Australian Museum
A larval Deepsea Flathead, hoplichthys haswelli View full size
Tom Trnski
© Australian Museum
A Deepsea Flathead larva from the fish collection View full size
Tom Trnski
© Australian Museum
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