155: PLATYCEPHALIDAE (FLATHEADS)
dark band at spiny D and 2 or 3 smaller dark bands posteriorly; prominent black blotch on V. Attains 10+ cm.
Three specimens are known from Natal; the type from St.
Brandon Shoals.
Genus Papil/ocu/iceps Fowler & Steinitz, 1956
Two species, 1 from our area.
155.5 Papilloculiceps longiceps
(Ehrenberg, 1829)
PLATE 29
Madagascar flathead
Madagaskar-platkop
Platycephalus longiceps Ehrenberg, in Cuv. & Val., 1829: 255 (Massawa, Red Sea). Platycephalus tentaculatus Riippell, 1838: 104, PI. 26,
Fig. 2 (Red Sea); Regan, 1908: 247 (Kosi Bay); Smith, SFSA No. 1066*
(Fig. 1066, taken from Giinther, is Platycephalus beauforti Knapp, 1973 of
the Pacific). Platycephalus grandidieri Sauvage, 1873: 56 (Zanzibar &
Madagascar); Smith, SFSA No. 1065*. Platycephalus papilloculus Fowler,
1935: 399, Figs. 32 & 33 (Durban).
D IIVIII+ 11; A 11; P 21-22; LL 52-56; GR 1 +(4-5). Head 2.6- 3.0. A
finger-like papilla on top of eye.
Body mottled with brownish or greenish above, whitish
below; C with 3 or 4 dark bands, other fins with large dark
blotches. Attains 70 cm. Found on sand near coral reefs in
1-15 m. Widespread, from Durban north through Red Sea.
155.5 Papilloculiceps longiceps: 26 cm holotype of Platycephalus papilloculus
(Durban; after Fowler, 1935); top right: dorsal view of head of 17 cm
specimen (Seychelles).
Genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1795
Thirteen species, 1 in our area.
155.6 Platycephalus indicus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
PLATE 29
Bartail flathead
Balkstert-platkop
Callionymus indicus Linnaeus, 1758: 250 (Asia). COllUS insidiator
Forsskal, 1775: 25 (Red Sea). CollUS madagascariensis Lacepecte, 1801:
231,248, PI. 11, Fig. 1 (Madagascar). Platycephalus insidiator: Regan,
1908: 247; Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908: 194. Platycephalus indicus: Barnard, 1927: 932; Smith, SFSA No. 1063*.
484
D IIVIII/I+ 13; A 13; P 18-20; LL68-82; GR (2-3)+(5-7). Head 2.9-3.2.
Head bearing smooth bony ridges, a small preocular spine and 2 preopercular spines, the lower slightly longer.
Adults brownish or greyish above, whitish below; C with
2 or 3 horizontal black stripes. Attains 100 cm. Found in
estuaries and shallow water to about 15 m. Good eating.
Widespread, from Mossel Bay northward; eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea to Japan and Australia.
155.6 Platycephalus indicus: dorsal view of head of 18.5 cm SL specimen
(Knysna).
Genus Sorsogona Herre, 1934
Four species, 1 in our area.
155.7 Sorsogona prionota
(Sauvage, 1873)
PLATE 30
Halfspined flathead
Halfstekel-platkop
Platycephalus prionotus Sauvage, 1873: 57 (Red Sea). Platycephalus
townsendi Regan, 1905: 323, PI. 1, Fig. 1 (Karachi & Muscat).
Platycephalus heterolepis Barnard, 1927: 77 (Delagoa Bay); 1927: 934*.
Platycephalus tuberculatus (non Cuvier): Smith, SFSA No. 1068.
D IIVIII +12; A 12-13; P 19-22; LL 50-54 (the first 15-20 with small
spines); GR (2-4)+(7-10). Head 2.6-2.9.
Body brownish with 4 or 5 vague dark bands crossing
back. Spiny D dusky brown, other fins more or less dark
spotted. Dark purple area with a network of light lines
found under opercular flap. Attains 22 cm. Found at depths
of 1- 61 m. Delagoa Bay northward to Karachi and through
the Red Sea.
155.7 Sorsogona prionota: dorsal view of head of 16.5 cm SL holotype of
Platycephalus heterolepis (Inhaca Id.).
dark band at spiny D and 2 or 3 smaller dark bands posteriorly; prominent black blotch on V. Attains 10+ cm.
Three specimens are known from Natal; the type from St.
Brandon Shoals.
Genus Papil/ocu/iceps Fowler & Steinitz, 1956
Two species, 1 from our area.
155.5 Papilloculiceps longiceps
(Ehrenberg, 1829)
PLATE 29
Madagascar flathead
Madagaskar-platkop
Platycephalus longiceps Ehrenberg, in Cuv. & Val., 1829: 255 (Massawa, Red Sea). Platycephalus tentaculatus Riippell, 1838: 104, PI. 26,
Fig. 2 (Red Sea); Regan, 1908: 247 (Kosi Bay); Smith, SFSA No. 1066*
(Fig. 1066, taken from Giinther, is Platycephalus beauforti Knapp, 1973 of
the Pacific). Platycephalus grandidieri Sauvage, 1873: 56 (Zanzibar &
Madagascar); Smith, SFSA No. 1065*. Platycephalus papilloculus Fowler,
1935: 399, Figs. 32 & 33 (Durban).
D IIVIII+ 11; A 11; P 21-22; LL 52-56; GR 1 +(4-5). Head 2.6- 3.0. A
finger-like papilla on top of eye.
Body mottled with brownish or greenish above, whitish
below; C with 3 or 4 dark bands, other fins with large dark
blotches. Attains 70 cm. Found on sand near coral reefs in
1-15 m. Widespread, from Durban north through Red Sea.
155.5 Papilloculiceps longiceps: 26 cm holotype of Platycephalus papilloculus
(Durban; after Fowler, 1935); top right: dorsal view of head of 17 cm
specimen (Seychelles).
Genus Platycephalus Bloch, 1795
Thirteen species, 1 in our area.
155.6 Platycephalus indicus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
PLATE 29
Bartail flathead
Balkstert-platkop
Callionymus indicus Linnaeus, 1758: 250 (Asia). COllUS insidiator
Forsskal, 1775: 25 (Red Sea). CollUS madagascariensis Lacepecte, 1801:
231,248, PI. 11, Fig. 1 (Madagascar). Platycephalus insidiator: Regan,
1908: 247; Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908: 194. Platycephalus indicus: Barnard, 1927: 932; Smith, SFSA No. 1063*.
484
D IIVIII/I+ 13; A 13; P 18-20; LL68-82; GR (2-3)+(5-7). Head 2.9-3.2.
Head bearing smooth bony ridges, a small preocular spine and 2 preopercular spines, the lower slightly longer.
Adults brownish or greyish above, whitish below; C with
2 or 3 horizontal black stripes. Attains 100 cm. Found in
estuaries and shallow water to about 15 m. Good eating.
Widespread, from Mossel Bay northward; eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea to Japan and Australia.
155.6 Platycephalus indicus: dorsal view of head of 18.5 cm SL specimen
(Knysna).
Genus Sorsogona Herre, 1934
Four species, 1 in our area.
155.7 Sorsogona prionota
(Sauvage, 1873)
PLATE 30
Halfspined flathead
Halfstekel-platkop
Platycephalus prionotus Sauvage, 1873: 57 (Red Sea). Platycephalus
townsendi Regan, 1905: 323, PI. 1, Fig. 1 (Karachi & Muscat).
Platycephalus heterolepis Barnard, 1927: 77 (Delagoa Bay); 1927: 934*.
Platycephalus tuberculatus (non Cuvier): Smith, SFSA No. 1068.
D IIVIII +12; A 12-13; P 19-22; LL 50-54 (the first 15-20 with small
spines); GR (2-4)+(7-10). Head 2.6-2.9.
Body brownish with 4 or 5 vague dark bands crossing
back. Spiny D dusky brown, other fins more or less dark
spotted. Dark purple area with a network of light lines
found under opercular flap. Attains 22 cm. Found at depths
of 1- 61 m. Delagoa Bay northward to Karachi and through
the Red Sea.
155.7 Sorsogona prionota: dorsal view of head of 16.5 cm SL holotype of
Platycephalus heterolepis (Inhaca Id.).