Longsnout flathead (Thysanophrys chiltonae)

Scientific name: Thysanophrys chiltonae Schultz, 1966

The Longsnout flathead (Thysanophrys chiltonae) is a marine fish of the family Platycephalidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12. Body and head mottled with dark brown and buff; fin rays with dark brown or black spots; dark brown saddle blotch on top of caudal peduncle. Least interorbital width going 3.8-7.2 times in diameter of eye. Base of lower opercular spine concealed by scales. Anterior 1-3, usually 3, 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: Thysanophrys chiltonae
Family: Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Common length: 18.0
Depth range: 1–80 m (3–262 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 80 m, usually ? - 18 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (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