Dusky Flathead

About

It is a large predatory fish and the largest member of the family Platycephalidae. They can be distinguished from other flathead fine brown spots on the pectoral fins.

Many fishers have been led to believe that large females over 70cm are breeding fish but recent studies are showing that this is not the case and that in fact large females it appears their ovaries have degenerated so are not producing viable eggs, with more studies are being conducted to verify this.

Look at the Tail and the pectoral fins to ID the tail may have a black mark but different to other species.

Size

Dusky flathead are the largest of the many species of flathead found in Australia, and the most commonly caught. Dusky flathead have very rarely been caught at sizes up to 12–15 kg and lengths up to 1.5 metres, but average size is 0.5–1.5 kg and 40–50 cm

Habitat

They occur over mud, silt gravel, sand and seagrass beds from intertidal areas to depths of 30 m

Distribution

East coast of Australia, from Cairns in Queensland to the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria, Not common in most parts of Tasmania, it is reported to occur in small numbers around Flinders Island and the north coast but there have been no confirmed identification

Gallery

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📷 Marine Explorer 📷 John Turnbull 📷 Allan Lugg 📷 Richard Ling 📷 Richard Ling

References & citations (2)

1. CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research & Dianne J. Bray, Platycephalus fuscus in Fishes of Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)