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The smallknob flathead, Thysanophrys papillaris Imamura et Knapp, 1999, is redescribed based on six specimens collected from southern Taiwan, which constitutes a northward range extension of the species [previously recorded from the Andaman, Timor, and Arafura seas (eastern Indian Ocean), and Nha Trang, Vietnam (western Pacific Ocean)]. Thysanophrys papillaris is distinguished from all congeneric species in having a combination of 11 second dorsal-fin rays, 12 anal-fin rays, 58-75 scale rows below the lateral line (slanting downward and forward), a longer snout (snout length / orbital diameter ratio 1.1-1.3), 1 or 2 small papillae on the eye, the upper iris lappet with short branches, a single preorbital spine and 3-5 suborbital spines. Previously suggested intraspecific variation in the number of eye papillae is confirmed.

The smallknob flathead, Thysanophrys papillaris Imamura et Knapp, 1999, is redescribed based on six specimens collected from southern Taiwan, which constitutes a northward range extension of the species [previously recorded from the Andaman, Timor, and Arafura seas (eastern Indian Ocean), and Nha Trang, Vietnam (western Pacific Ocean)]. Thysanophrys papillaris is distinguished from all congeneric species in having a combination of 11 second dorsal-fin rays, 12 anal-fin rays, 58-75 scale rows below the lateral line (slanting downward and forward), a longer snout (snout length / orbital diameter ratio 1.1-1.3), 1 or 2 small papillae on the eye, the upper iris lappet with short branches, a single preorbital spine and 3-5 suborbital spines. Previously suggested intraspecific variation in the number of eye papillae is confirmed.