Midget flathead – Onigocia spinosa

Midget flathead, Midget Flathead, Largescaled Spiny Flathead, Spiny Flathead - Onigocia spinosa, Onigocia spinosa
Size: 25 cm
Depth: 8 - 250 m
Water Type: Marine
Toxicity: Toxic hazard unknown
Red List Status: Least concern (LC)
Temperature: 17,6 °F - 26,7 °F (17,6°C - 26,7°C)

The Midget Flathead, Largescaled Spiny Flathead, Spiny Flathead, scientifically known as Onigocia spinosa, is a fascinating fish species inhabiting the depths of our oceans. It is a member of the Platycephalidae family, belonging to the Order Perciformes and the Class Teleostei.

Description & Characteristics

This intriguing fish boasts a distinctive appearance, characterized by its flattened body and a broad head. Onigocia spinosa typically reaches a maximum size of 25.0 cm, making it a relatively small fish. Its body is covered in spiny scales, giving it a rough texture. These scales, particularly those on its head, contribute to its name “Largescaled Spiny Flathead”. Its coloration varies, often blending with the surrounding environment, making it difficult to spot amidst the seafloor.

Habitat and Occurrence

Onigocia spinosa is found in a variety of marine zones, inhabiting depths ranging from 8.0 to 250.0 meters. This wide depth range allows this species to thrive in various ecosystems, from the shallower continental shelves to the deeper oceanic waters. The Midget Flathead, Largescaled Spiny Flathead, Spiny Flathead is a common inhabitant of the benthic zone, the seabed environment. It prefers to live on sandy or muddy bottoms, often hiding amongst rocks and coral reefs, camouflaged by its coloration.

Taxonomy

The species Onigocia spinosa belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Platycephalidae. This classification places it within a large and diverse group of fish characterized by their spiny fins and generally flattened bodies. Platycephalidae, commonly known as flatheads, is a family of over 80 species, many of which are found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Feeding

Onigocia spinosa is a carnivorous fish, primarily feeding on a diet of smaller fish, cuttlefish (Sepia), worms, and various other zoobenthos. Its flattened body allows it to lie in wait on the seabed, camouflaged, before ambushing its prey with a swift, powerful strike. This ambush predator strategy makes Onigocia spinosa a successful hunter in its chosen habitat.

Associated Species

Image References

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