Elminster and Platycephalidae: Difference between pages

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{{Taxobox
{{D&D character|
| name = Flatheads
fgcolor=#fff|
| image = 1077_aquaimages.jpg
bgcolor=#000|
| image_width = 200px
image=[[Image:Elminster rom.JPG|250px]]|
| image_caption = ''[[Sunagocia otaitensis]]''
name=Elminster Aumar|
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
home=Athalantar,<br />Shadowdale|
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
gender=Male|
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
race=Human|
| ordo = [[Scorpaeniformes]]
class=[[Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|Ftr]]1/[[Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)|Rog]]2/[[Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)|Clr]]3/[[Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)|Wiz]]24/[[Archmage|Acm]]5|
| familia = '''Platycephalidae'''
alignment=[[Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)#Chaotic Good|Chaotic Good]]|
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
age=1162|
| subdivision =
universe=''[[Forgotten Realms]]''
''[[Ambiserrula]]''<br/>
''[[Cociella]]''<br/>
''[[Cymbacephalus]]''<br/>
''[[Elates]]''<br/>
''[[Eurycephalus]]''<br/>
''[[Grammoplites]]''<br/>
''[[Inegocia]]''<br/>
''[[Kumococius]]''<br/>
''[[Leviprora]]''<br/>
''[[Onigocia]]''<br/>
''[[Papilloculiceps]]''<br/>
''[[Platycephalus]]''<br/>
''[[Ratabulus]]''<br/>
''[[Rogadius]]''<br/>
''[[Solitas]]''<br/>
''[[Sorsogona]]''<br/>
''[[Suggrundus]]''<br/>
''[[Sunagocia]]''<br/>
''[[Thysanophrys]]''<br/>

}}
}}


'''Platycephalidae''' is a [[Family (biology)|family]] of marine [[fish]]es, most commonly referred to as '''flatheads'''. They are relatives of the popular [[Scorpaenidae|lionfishes]], both groups belonging to the order [[Scorpaeniformes]].
'''Elminster Aumar''' (born c. 212 [[Dalereckoning|DR]]) is a [[fictional character]] in the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''-based ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' setting. Also known as the [[Wise Old Man|Sage]] of Shadowdale, he is a powerful [[Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)|wizard]] featured in many novels by ''Forgotten Realms'' creator [[Ed Greenwood]]. His appearance and demeanor in certain aspects seem to echo [[Merlin]], [[Gandalf]], or [[Odin]].

Elminster was one of the first characters Greenwood created for the ''Forgotten Realms''; information about him can be found in virtually all game products, but ''[[The Elminster Series]]'' of novels by Greenwood are perhaps the most definitive sources of information. The series includes ''Elminster: The Making of a Mage'', ''Elminster in Myth Drannor'', ''The Temptation of Elminster'', ''Elminster in Hell'', and ''Elminster's Daughter''.

==Basics==
===Appearance===
Elminster appears as a gray-bearded man of weathered visage, gruff tone, alert, dancing eyes, nondescript attire and a hawk like nose. He is almost always smoking a [[meerschaum]] pipe that is spouting some vile blue or green smoke.<ref name=heroslorebook>{{cite book | title = Hero's Lorebook | author = Dale Donova & Paul Culotta | year = 1996 | id = ISBN 0-7869-0412-7}}</ref>

In the later series after D&D 3.0, Elminster was often portrayed with shorter hair, a beard, and a sword at his side.

===Personality===
A natural storyteller, Elminster is normally a witty, clever, and very charming man. He can be imperious, grave, and terrible, however, and furthermore is a consummate actor. He rarely reveals the full extent of his true nature to anyone who is not an extremely close friend. He can portray himself as a trickster, a rake, a stern father figure, or any other stereotype he wants to assume, depending on what he wants to accomplish or what reaction he wants to elicit from those around him.

===Family===
As of the end of "Elminster's Daughter" the information that Elminster has several daughters was made known. Besides Narnra Shalace two others are made known, one of them is Laspeera of the war wizards and the other is none other than the Dowager Queen Filfaeril of Cormyr.

===Allies===
The [[Harpers (Forgotten Realms)|Harpers]]; the other ''[[Mystra (goddess)#Mystra's Chosen|Chosen of Mystra]]'' (especially the [[Simbul]], his paramour); Lhaeo, his scribe; and good people everywhere. Since he resides in Shadowdale, the lord of Shadowdale is also his friend. The Knights of Myth Drannor are also his friends and confidants. Two or three knights are always in Shadowdale in case it is in peril.

Elminster interacts regularly with the other Chosen of Mystra through a telepathic link. As well as once sharing a bed with the goddess herself, he is currently conducting a relationship with [[the Simbul]] of the [[Seven Sisters (Forgotten Realms)|Seven Sisters]]. Elminster and [[Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun|Khelben]] have something of a rivalry, whilst [[Volothamp Geddarm|Volo]] sorely taxes the old mage's patience.

==History==
===The Making of A Mage===
The first novel in the ''[[The Elminster Series]]'', ''Making of a Mage'' <ref>{{cite book | title = Elminster: The Making of a Mage | author = Ed Greenwood | id = ISBN 0-7869-0203-5 | year = 1995 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref>
recounts the character's origin story, which explains why he has levels in so many different character classes (fighter, rogue, cleric, and wizard).

Elminster was born around 200 DR to Elthryn, the lord of the village of Heldon and a prince of [[Lost Empires of Faerûn#Athalantar|Athalantar]], and his wife Amrythale, in the kingdom of Athalantar. His family was killed by a malaugrym named Undarl, one of the magelords of the ancient kingdom of Athalantar.<ref name="lostempires">Baker, Richard, Ed Bonny, and Travis Stout. ''Lost Empires of Faerûn''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.</ref> Taking up his father's broken sword, the Lion Sword, the symbol of the great king of the Stag Throne (who was Elminster's grandfather), Elminster became a brigand and a thief at the ripe age of twelve.

He soon realized that he had no taste for killing, and gave it up when he went to become a burglar in the city of Hastarl, the capital of Athalantar. He met and formed a bond of friendship with a young thief, Farl, who knew Elminster as Eladar "the Dark"; they committed many acts of thievery and lived life fully, later forming the gang the "Velvet Hands" in opposition to the rival gang, the Moonclaws, who were servants of the magelords. Later, while evesdropping on a possible thieving mark, Elminster met that era's Magister, the wizard who bore the mantle of [[Azuth]]'s power. When asked if he was interested in learning sorcery, Elminster refused, as he hated all mages because of the magelords.

After many adventures, Elminster was visited by [[Mystra (goddess)|Mystra]], the Goddess of All Magic. She tarried with him and left the awestruck Elminster with the message that he should learn of magic and worship her. Soon thereafter, while he was still a young adult, Mystra transformed Elminster into a woman named Elmara to strengthen his bond with magic and to know what it is to be a woman. This change also allowed him to move within his enemies' circles without their knowledge that he was in fact the last surviving prince of Athalantar. For a few years, Elmara was a priestess of Mystra. Later, an avatar of Mystra (who went by the name Myrjala "Darkeyes") trained Elmara in the ways of a mage and brought her to an ancient Netherese arcanist who taught Elmara a spell that would transform her back into Elminster. In the time that followed, Elminster learned much about magic from Myrjala, reaching the point where he could finish taking his revenge against the evil magelords who had usurped the kingdom. After a terrific battle, Elminster presevered and assumed the throne of Athalantar.

However, no sooner had he gained the kingship than he passed it on to one of his friends, Helm Stoneblade, a knight of Athalantar. Elminster stated that he had wanted to avenge his family's death, not become a monarch. As he and Myrjala left the kingdom, the so-called Mage Royal, Undarl, attacked them, and the sorceress revealed herself to be Mystra. She offered to make Elminster one of her Chosen, and he readily accepted.

===Elminster in Myth Drannor===
A sequel to ''Making of a Mage'', ''Elminster in Myth Drannor'' <ref>{{cite book | title = Elminster in Myth Drannor | author = Ed Greenwood | id = ISBN 0-7869-1190-5 | year = 1998 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref>
takes place shortly afterwards. In this novel, Elminster travels to the city of Cormanthor. The book details the ancient elven society and its people, as well as highlighting Elminster's continued magical studies, as he serves as an apprentice to a cruel and powerful wizard.

Elminster remains in Cormanthor for over two decades, and is present when the mythal is raised and the city is renamed Myth Drannor.

===The Temptation of Elminster===
The ''Temptation of Elminster'' <ref>{{cite book | title = The Temptation of Elminster | author = Ed Greenwood | id = ISBN 0-7869-1427-0 | year = 1999 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref>
moves the time line ahead several centuries. At the outset of the novel, Elminster emerges from a dusty tomb, after being trapped there in stasis for many years.

During much of this book, magic becomes unreliable, and Elminster must again learn to survive by his wits and the skills he picked up earlier in his life. He later undergoes further magical training under the tutelage of a wicked sorceress who seeks to tempt him away from Mystra's path.

Following the events of ''The Temptation of Elminster'', Elminster served as a foster parent to three other of Mystra's Chosen: Laeral, Storm, and Dove. It is also suspected that he had something to do with the founding of Waterdeep, or at least with the organizing of the city's lords.

===Time of Troubles===
Elminster was instrumental in forming the Rangers Three, who aided him in recurring battles with the mysterious [[Shadowmaster]]s during this time. Elminster also took time out to defend [[Shadowdale]] from an army of [[Zhentarim]] led by the avatar of [[Bane (god)|Bane]]. Bane and Elminster battled, and both were caught up in the spell that Elminster had called upon to dispose of the avatar. Elminster was originally thought to have been destroyed, but when he later reappeared it became apparent that he had merely been transported to another plane of existence for a time.

===Shadow of the Avatar Crisis===
In Elminster's absence, the foes of good tried to rally, but the other Chosen, the Knights of Myth Drannor, and the Rangers Three held them at bay until he returned. With the present crisis averted, all seemed calm, but the Shadowmasters had other ideas. Elminster and the Rangers Three, along with their allies, managed to frustrate and foil the plans of this race of shapeshifters.

Elminster also confronted the overgod, [[Lord Ao]], over his instigation of the Time of Troubles while innocents were being killed. As the critical moment of the Time of Troubles approached, Mystra knew of what was to come and she shed most of her power into Midnight the human wizard, so that all of her essence would not cease to exist. Since Elminster obtained his power from Mystra, this change left him personally powerless at a critical juncture.


Members of the family can be found naturally in coastal waters throughout the [[Indian Ocean|Indo]]-[[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. A few species have been caught in the eastern [[Mediterranean]], having traveled there from the [[Red Sea]] through the [[Suez Canal]].
He recruited one of the Rangers Three, Sharantyr, and they equipped themselves from Elminster's cache of magical items, which would still function. The two of them were later reunited with the other two members of the band, Itharr and Belkram, but even the Rangers Three could not prevent Elminster from being wounded in battle. Despite this setback, Elminster and the Rangers, along with their allies, not only freed High Dale and defeated Manshoon of the Zhentarim, but they also outlasted the Time of Troubles, and Elminster regained his magic.


[[Image:0966 aquaimages.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A ''Platycephalid'' in Papua New Guinea]]
===Elminster in Hell===
Platycephalids are small-to-medium-sized fishes. Most species are small, reaching an average of 10 cm in length. However, a few species in the genus ''[[Platycephalus]]'' are known to grow up to a meter in length. Their most distinctive characteristic (for which they are named for) is the flattened shape of their anteriormost body region. While the rest of their body is shaped similarly to other fishes(such as [[sculpins]]) that inhabit the areas they frequent, their heads are triangularly-shaped and dorso-ventrally depressed, giving them the shape of a trowel or an artist's spatula. Their eyes are situated on the dorsal surface of their heads, in accordance with their benthic lifestyle. They possess two complete dorsal fins, the first one supported by six-to-nine strong spines.
''Elminster in Hell''<ref>{{cite book | title = Elminster in Hell | author = Ed Greenwood | id = ISBN 0-7869-2746-1 | year = 2002 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref> describes when the floating city of Shade Enclave was returned to Faerûn after their exile in the Plane of Shadow, the Shadovar—the immortal rulers of the city who were themselves Shades— attempted to attack Shadowdale. Elminster thwarted their plot by blasting one of the shadow princes with his silver fire. Since Shadovars are living shadow magic, and silver fire is pure weave magic, the collision tore at the fabric of reality, created a rift to the Nine Hells. Elminster realized that the only way to close the portal before legion of devils spilled forth into Toril was to close it from the other side.


[[Image:Plattkopf.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A ''Platycephalid''.]]
In the opening of ''Elminster in Hell'', Elminster entered the portal and narrowly managed to do so, but at the expense of much of his magical strength. Once in Hell he was abducted and enslaved by an outcast Arch-Devil known as Nergal, who wished to discover the secret of Mystra's silver fire. In the most graphic scenes of the [[The Elminster Series]], Elminster was subjected to brutal tortures, surviving only because of his exceptional endurance and ability to heal himself with silver fire. While the arch-fiend plundered Elminster's thoughts and memories, Mystra became aware of her favorite servant's plight and entered Hell herself to find him. Realizing that her presence in Hell was less than inconspicuous, Mystra retreated and dispatched more subtle agents to find him; first Halaster Blackcloak, the Mad Mage of Undermountain (who was defeated) and then the Simbul. After much searching, the Simbul found him, and together they defeated Nergal and returned home.
Members of the family '''Platycephalidae''' are mostly marine. They are [[demersal]] fishes, often resting directly on the [[seabed]], sometimes partially-buried in sand or mud. They can be found in a wide range of depths, ranging from depths of 10 meters to the edge of the continental shelf at depths of almost a third of a kilometer.


Flatheads are highly [[Carnivore|carnivorous]], feeding on small fishes and [[crustaceans]]. They lie in wait buried by sand, with only their eyes poking out from the substrate. When prospective prey walks or swims in proximity to the platycephalid's head, the flathead strikes rapidly, quickly engulfing the prey in its large mouth.
===Elminster's Daughter===
''Elminster's Daughter''<ref>{{cite book | title = Elminster's Daughter | author = Ed Greenwood | id = ISBN 0-7869-3199-X | year = 2004 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref> takes place a few years after ''Elminster in Hell'' (and is also a sequel to [[Death of the Dragon]]). A relatively light-hearted book when compared to the more violent ''Elminster in Hell'', it focuses primarily on the life of one of Elminster's children, [[Narnra Shalace]].


There are active commercial fisheries geared towards members of the family, especially in eastern countries. In [[Japan]], some species are the subject of experimental [[aquaculture]] programs. Platycephalids are occasionally caught on rod and line and the larger species are considered game fish.
Narnra leads the life of a loner thief in [[Waterdeep (city)|Waterdeep]], with no one to depend on but herself. Following an old man through an alleyway and into a portal, she emerges in [[Marsember]]. The old man she follows is none other than Elminster. Because of her curiosity, Narnra quickly finds herself involved not only in the intrigues of the Cormyrean nation, but also with Elminster, who turns out to be her father, whom she has never known.


The name of the family is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words 'platy', meaning flat, and 'kephale/cephale' for head. Essentially, '''Platycephalidae''' is Greek for "flat head".
===Elminster Today===
Elminster is currently secretly helping a small group of adventurers near Westgate at the Reddansyr Village, investigating the destiny of the clone of [[Manshoon]], and unmasking the real leader of [[Night Masters]] of Westgate, the Night King known as "The Faceless" (the Manshoon clone, now know as [[Orbakh]]), three years after the [[Manshoon Wars]] in the year of [[1373 DR]]. He has also aided the protagonist of the [[Baldur's Gate]] RPG series and his/her companions, making occasional appearances in the game; both to check on their progress, and to impart wisdom in regards to their quest in the [[Bhaal]] crisis.


===Post Spellplague===
== Species ==
There are currently 68 species within 19 genera in the family.
With the events of the Spellplague (the world changing event heralding the change from 3rd to 4th edition in The Forgotten Realms) caused by the destruction of his patron, Mystra, Elimister has lost much of his power, but is still unaging. He continues to live in Shadowdale, but is now bitter and withdrawn. It is not explicitly stated, but it is hinted that The Simbul now lives either with or near him after faking her own death. <ref>{{cite book | title = Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (4th Edition D&D) | author = Bruce Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims | id = ISBN 0-7869-4924-3 | year = 2008 | publisher = Wizard of the Coast}}</ref>
* ''[[Ambiserrula]]''
** ''[[Ambiserrula jugosa]]'' <small>McCulloch, 1914</small>. A small member of the family endemic to Australia.
* ''[[Cociella]]''
** ''[[Cociella crocodila]]''
** ''[[Cociella heemstrai]]''
** ''[[Cociella hutchinsi]]''
** ''[[Cociella punctata]]''
** ''[[Cociella somaliensis]]''
* ''[[Cymbacephalus]]''
** ''[[Cymbacephalus beauforti]]''
** ''[[Cymbacephalus bosschei]]''
** ''[[Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus]]''
** ''[[Cymbacephalus staigeri]]''
* ''[[Elates]]''
** ''[[Elates ransonnetii]]''
* ''[[Eurycephalus]]''
** ''[[Eurycephalus arenicola]]''
** ''[[Eurycephalus carbunculus]]''
* ''[[Grammoplites]]''
** ''[[Grammoplites knappi]]''
** ''[[Grammoplites scaber]]''
** ''[[Grammoplites suppositus]]''
* ''[[Inegocia]]''
** ''[[Inegocia guttata]]''
** ''[[Inegocia harrisii]]''
** ''[[Inegocia japonica]]''
* ''[[Kumococius]]''
** ''[[Kumococius rodericensis]]''
* ''[[Leviprora]]''
** ''[[Leviprora inops]]''
* ''[[Onigocia]]''
** ''[[Onigocia bimaculata]]''
** ''[[Onigocia grandisquamis]]''
** ''[[Onigocia macrolepis]]''
** ''[[Onigocia oligolepis]]''
** ''[[Onigocia pedimacula]]''
** ''[[Onigocia spinosa]]''
* ''[[Papilloculiceps]]''
[[Image:Papilloculiceps longiceps 2 by Marek Jakubowski.jpg|right|thumb|201px|''Papilloculiceps longiceps'']]
** ''[[Papilloculiceps longiceps]]''
* ''[[Platycephalus]]'' <small>[[Marcus Elieser Bloch|Bloch]], 1795</small>. Type genus.
** ''[[Platycephalus arenarius]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus aurimaculatus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus bassensis]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus chauliodous]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus conatus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus cultellatus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus endrachtensis]]''
[[Image:duskyflat.jpg|right|thumb|201px|''Platycephalus fuscus'']]
** ''[[Platycephalus fuscus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus indicus]]'' <small>[[Linnaeus]], 1758</small>. Type species. Synonymous with ''P. spathula''.
** ''[[Platycephalus laevigatus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus longispinis]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus marmoratus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus micracanthus]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus richardsoni]]''
** ''[[Platycephalus speculator]]''
* ''[[Ratabulus]]''
** ''[[Ratabulus diversidens]]''
** ''[[Ratabulus megacephalus]]''
* ''[[Rogadius]]''
** ''[[Rogadius asper]]''
** ''[[Rogadius mcgroutheri]]''<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Ichthyological Research | volume = 54 | issue = 3 | year = 2007 | pages = 303–307 | title = Rogadius mcgroutheri , a new species of flathead (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) collected from eastern Australia and New Caledonia | author = Imamura | doi = 10.1007/s10228-007-0405-3}}</ref>
** ''[[Rogadius melanopterus]]''
** ''[[Rogadius nigripinnis]]''
** ''[[Rogadius patriciae]]''
** ''[[Rogadius portuguesus]]''
** ''[[Rogadius pristiger]]''
** ''[[Rogadius serratus]]''
** ''[[Rogadius welanderi]]''
* ''[[Solitas]]''
** ''[[Solitas gruveli]]''
* ''[[Sorsogona]]''
** ''[[Sorsogona prionota]]''
** ''[[Sorsogona tuberculata]]''
* ''[[Suggrundus]]''
** ''[[Suggrundus cooperi]]''
** ''[[Suggrundus macracanthus]]''
** ''[[Suggrundus meerdervoortii]]''
* ''[[Sunagocia]]''
** ''[[Sunagocia otaitensis]]''
* ''[[Thysanophrys]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys armata]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys celebica]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys chiltonae]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys cirronasa]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys longirostris]]''
** ''[[Thysanophrys papillaris]]''


== References ==
==Forgotten Realms Comic Appearance==
* {{FishBase family | family = Platycephalidae | year = 2007 | month = January}}
Elminster is involved in the story arc "Dragonreach"<ref>[Forgotten Realms #5 - 8 (1989), DC Comics]</ref> from [[Forgotten Realms (comic)| Forgotten Realms comics]] where he assists another wizard, Dwalimor Omen in stopping an individual who was slaying dragons in the Realms.
* {{ITIS | ID = 167131 | taxon = Platycephalidae | year = 2007 | date = 21 February}}
* {{cite web | last =Myers | first =P. | authorlink = | coauthors =R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. | title =Platycephalidae | work =Animal Diversity Web | publisher =University of Michigan Museum of Zoology | date =2006 | url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Platycephalidae.html | format =html | accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
<references/>


==References==
==See also==
{{wikispecies}}
{{Primarysources|date=May 2008}}
*[[Flathead (fish)]]
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Fish of the Pacific]]
== External links ==
[[Category:Scorpaeniformes]]
* [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rl/20050608a&pf=true Ⅰ. The Legend of Tharnwood]
[[Category:Platycephalidae]]
* [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rl/20050615a&pf=true ⅠⅠ. Revealing the Truth]


[[de:Plattköpfe]]
[[Category:Fictional arcane spellcasters (Dungeons & Dragons)]]
[[fa:زمین‌کن‌ماهیان]]
[[Category:Forgotten Realms characters]]
[[lt:Paprastosios plokščiagalvės]]
[[nl:Platkopvissen]]
[[pl:Płaskogłowowate]]
[[zh:牛尾魚科]]


==External links==
[[de:Figuren aus den Forgotten Realms]]
* [http://www.starfish.ch/collection/benthicfishes.html#Platycephalidae Photos of several species of Crocodilefishes]
[[es:Elminster]]
[[fr:Elminster]]
[[it:Elminster Aumar]]
[[hu:Elminster Aumar]]
[[pl:Elminster Aumar]]
[[pt:Elminster]]
[[ru:Эльминстер]]
[[fi:Elminster]]
[[zh:艾尔明斯特·奥玛]]

Revision as of 17:14, 10 October 2008

Flatheads
File:1077 aquaimages.jpg
Sunagocia otaitensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Platycephalidae
Genera

Ambiserrula
Cociella
Cymbacephalus
Elates
Eurycephalus
Grammoplites
Inegocia
Kumococius
Leviprora
Onigocia
Papilloculiceps
Platycephalus
Ratabulus
Rogadius
Solitas
Sorsogona
Suggrundus
Sunagocia
Thysanophrys

Platycephalidae is a family of marine fishes, most commonly referred to as flatheads. They are relatives of the popular lionfishes, both groups belonging to the order Scorpaeniformes.

Members of the family can be found naturally in coastal waters throughout the Indo-Pacific. A few species have been caught in the eastern Mediterranean, having traveled there from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal.

File:0966 aquaimages.jpg
A Platycephalid in Papua New Guinea

Platycephalids are small-to-medium-sized fishes. Most species are small, reaching an average of 10 cm in length. However, a few species in the genus Platycephalus are known to grow up to a meter in length. Their most distinctive characteristic (for which they are named for) is the flattened shape of their anteriormost body region. While the rest of their body is shaped similarly to other fishes(such as sculpins) that inhabit the areas they frequent, their heads are triangularly-shaped and dorso-ventrally depressed, giving them the shape of a trowel or an artist's spatula. Their eyes are situated on the dorsal surface of their heads, in accordance with their benthic lifestyle. They possess two complete dorsal fins, the first one supported by six-to-nine strong spines.

A Platycephalid.

Members of the family Platycephalidae are mostly marine. They are demersal fishes, often resting directly on the seabed, sometimes partially-buried in sand or mud. They can be found in a wide range of depths, ranging from depths of 10 meters to the edge of the continental shelf at depths of almost a third of a kilometer.

Flatheads are highly carnivorous, feeding on small fishes and crustaceans. They lie in wait buried by sand, with only their eyes poking out from the substrate. When prospective prey walks or swims in proximity to the platycephalid's head, the flathead strikes rapidly, quickly engulfing the prey in its large mouth.

There are active commercial fisheries geared towards members of the family, especially in eastern countries. In Japan, some species are the subject of experimental aquaculture programs. Platycephalids are occasionally caught on rod and line and the larger species are considered game fish.

The name of the family is derived from the Greek words 'platy', meaning flat, and 'kephale/cephale' for head. Essentially, Platycephalidae is Greek for "flat head".

Species

There are currently 68 species within 19 genera in the family.

Papilloculiceps longiceps
Platycephalus fuscus

References

  • Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Platycephalidae" in FishBase. January 2007 version.
  • "Platycephalidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 21 February. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • Myers, P. (2006). "Platycephalidae" (html). Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 2007-02-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  1. ^ Imamura (2007). "Rogadius mcgroutheri , a new species of flathead (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) collected from eastern Australia and New Caledonia". Ichthyological Research. 54 (3): 303–307. doi:10.1007/s10228-007-0405-3.

See also

Wikispecies has information related to Platycephalidae.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elminster&oldid=244404955"