Broadhead flathead (Sunagocia arenicola)

Scientific name: Sunagocia arenicola Schultz, 1966

The Broadhead flathead (Sunagocia arenicola) is a marine fish of the family Platycephalidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to the Marshall Islands and Fiji. Northwards to Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands, including Mariana, Marshall, and Caroline islands.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Lips smooth, lacking papillae on edges. Least interorbital width going 3.5 times or less in greatest diameter of orbit. Base of lower opercular spine concealed by scales. Anterior 1-3, usually 2, lateral line scales bearing a small spine. Iris lappet bearing short branches with bifurcate tips.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sunagocia arenicola
Family: Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 37.0
Common length: 25.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marshall Islands and Fiji. Northwards to Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands, including Mariana, Marshall, and Caroline islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026