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Tasselsnout Flathead Thysanophrys cirronasa (Richardson, 1848)
[CAAB 37 296045]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Continental shelf of southern Australia. Eastern Australian distribution from Caloundra, Queensland, to Montague Island, New South Wales, western distribution ranging from eastern South Australia to Lancelin, Western Australia. Demersal, estuarine and inshore on shallow rocky reefs to about 35 m.

Size:

Maximum length at least 38 cm TL, and a weight of approx. 500g.

Characteristics:

D I, VIII, or IX, 11-12; A 11; C 15; P 19-21; V I, 5; Llat 51-55.

Body elongate, slightly depressed. Head very large (~42% SL),very depressed, with several ridges bearing strong spines; eyes large (~18% HL) with narrow, fringed ocular papilla; mouth large with villiform teeth in bands on jaws, vomer and on palatines; preopercular spines 2-3, short, robust; gill rakers on first arch moderately long and slender. Scales small, finely ctenoid, covering body, head naked; lateral line scales slightly larger than adjacent scales on side, oblique scale rows above lateral line about equal to number of lateral-line scales; lateral-line scales 51-55. 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 similar in shape, opposite and slightly longer-based than second dorsal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins of moderate size. Pelvic fins long, based below centre of pectoral fins.

Colour:

Pale brown to purple with a number of variable dark saddles and blotches. Caudal fin with weak brown bars; first dorsal fin with a broad dark marginal band and narrow diagonal streaks.

Fisheries:

May be taken in trawls or caught on hook and line.

Conservation Status:

None.

Other common names:

Rock Flathead, Tassel-snouted Flathead.

Original citation:

Platycephalus cirronasus Richardson, 1848, In Richardson, J. & Gray. J.E. (Eds), The zoology of the voyage of H. M. S. "Erebus & Terror", 114: Botany Bay, NSW, Australia.

References:

Eschmeyer, W.N. (2008) The Catalogue of Fishes on-line. (California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco) Available from: http://www.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp (10 March, 2008).

Gomon, M.F., Glover, J.C.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (1994) The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide, 992 pp.

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006) Fishes. In: P.L. Beesley & A. Wells (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia Volume 35. Parts 1-3. Australian Biological Resources Study and CSIRO Publishing, 2248 pp.