Flathead Congolli, Halaphritis platycephala Last, Balushkin & Hutchins 2002

A Flathead Congolli, Halaphritis platycephala, in a crevice in Cathedral Cave, Waterfall Bay, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, March 2015, depth 17 m. Source: dentrock / iNaturalist.org. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:

A dusky congolli becoming paler below with about five broad indistinct darkish bands along the back and sides, and pale margins on the fins. The species has a large flattened head with eyes protuding dorsally.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2018, Halaphritis platycephala in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 Mar 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1186

Flathead Congolli, Halaphritis platycephala Last, Balushkin & Hutchins 2002

More Info

Distribution	Wilsons Promontory, Victoria, and coastal Tasmania. Inhabits shallow semi-exposed reefs, sheltering under ledges and deep inside caves during the day. The species is rarely seen underwater, and is able to creep around in cramped spaces.
Features	Dorsal fin 34; Anal fin 23; Pectoral fin 15; Pelvic fin I, 5; Caudal fin approx. 17; Lateral line scales 59. Body elongate and shallow (approx. 15% SL), compressed posteriorly; caudal peduncle moderately deep, not concave dorsally and ventrally. Head moderately large (approx. 31% SL), very depressed; snout broadly rounded; eyes large, placed close together dorsally; mouth large, pointing forwards when closed, extending to below centre of eyes, jaws of equal length; villiform teeth forming bands in each jaw; opercle with small inconspicuous, flattened spine near upper margin. Scales ctenoid, of moderate size, covering head and body, and extending into caudal and pectoral fins; lateral line distinct, nearly straight. Two distinctly separated dorsal fins, first small, short based, originating just ahead of pectoral fin origins, second with base about three times length of first; anal fin long based, similar and opposite second dorsal fin, but positioned slightly more posteriorly; caudal fin weakly convex posteriorly. Pectoral fins large, rounded. Pelvic fins jugular, broadly arrow-shaped, central rays longest.
Feeding	Feeds on shrimps and other small crustaceans.
Species Citation	Halaphritis platycephala Last, Balushkin & Hutchins 2002, Copeia 2002(2): 435, fig. 1. Type locality: Port Davey, near shore, Tasmania, Australia, 43°18'S, 145°58'E.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2018
Resources	Australian Faunal Directory

Flathead Congolli, Halaphritis platycephala Last, Balushkin & Hutchins 2002

References

Glover, C.J.M. 1994. Family Bovichtidae. pp. 725-728 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. (as Pseudaphritis sp.)

Gomon, M.F. & Last, P.R. 2008. Family Bovichtidae. pp. 667-669 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Last, P.R., Balushkin, A.V. & Hutchins, J.B. 2002. Halaphritis platycephala (Notothenioidei: Bovichtidae): a new genus and species of temperate icefish from southeastern Australia. Copeia 2002(2): 433-440