Broadhead Flathead

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.Description: Characterized by mottled tan color, finely flecked with dark brown; dorsal surface with six indistinct dark bars and scattered small pale blotches; no prominent makings on fins; 4-5 spines in suborbital ridge (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 11 - 13

Taken over sand associated with rocks and coral reefs to about 30 m. Buries itself partially in the sand for camouflage. Feeds mainly on crabs and prawns, also on fishes.

Taken over sand associated with rocks and coral reefs to about 30 m (Ref. 9790). Buries itself partially in the sand for camouflage. Feeds mainly on crabs and prawns, also on fishes. Also found in sandy fringe of coral reefs (Ref 90102).

fisheries: of no interest

分布於印度-太平洋區海域，由東非到馬紹爾群島與斐濟，北至台灣與琉球群島，包括馬里亞納群島、馬紹爾群島與加羅林群島。屬於島嶼分布型。臺灣分布於南部、北部、東部及蘭嶼等礁沙區海域。

屬於底拖漁業捕撈物種，體型較小，通常可見於下雜魚堆，或偶在魚市場販售，經濟價值低。

背鰭鰭條I-VIII, 12；臀鰭鰭條12；胸鰭鰭條21-22(主要21)；腹鰭鰭條I, 5；尾鰭分叉鰭條9-10。側線鱗52-53；鰓被架7。體相對較短，平扁，向後漸細尖，縱剖面略呈圓柱狀。頭部呈縱扁，眶間隔稍寬。吻平扁而短，為眼徑之1.4-1.7倍。頭長為吻長之3.0-3.1倍。口大，上位，向後延伸超過眼睛前緣。眼大，眼後無凹陷。體長為頭長之2.9-3.1。鋤骨齒兩叢。頤部不具側線管。眼上方不具附肢。間鰓蓋骨不具附肢。頰部具雙稜。眼下稜具4棘。前鰓蓋骨上方具2棘，上棘較長，下方不具向前之倒棘。虹膜分叉型(branched)。眼眶前具1棘。眼眶上方具1棘。側線鱗具雙開口。頭部及身體淡色；下半部白；背部具許多不規則細斑，或黑色或棕色或黃色；各鰭淡色，偶有斑點所形成之條紋。(何宣慶、林沛立編寫 2012/12)

底棲性，主要棲息於礁區沙泥底區域。肉食性，以底棲性魚類或無脊椎動物為食。利用體色之擬態隱身於沙泥地，用以欺敵以及趁獵物不注意時躍起捕食。