Common names
Black flathead, Mud flathead, Dusky, Estuary Flathead, Flattie, Frog, Lizard, River Flathead
Dusky flathead
Platycephalus fuscus
- Saltwater
Max length51.25 in
Common length19.75 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight33 lb 1 oz
Depth range0 - 99 ft
Water typeSaltwater
Fish info
Short description
Flathead are notable for their unusual body shape, upon which their hunting strategy is based. Flathead are dorsally compressed, meaning their body is wide but flattened and very low in height. Both eyes are on the top of the flattened head. The effect is somewhat similar to flounder. In contrast to flounder however, flathead are much more elongated, the tail remains vertical, and the mouth is large, wide and symmetrical. The dusky flathead can be distinguished from other flathead by a row of fine brown spots on the pectoral fins. Their colour varies from sandy with brown spots and blotches to dark brown/black with white spots. They have a distinctive black spot on their caudal fins. Dark bars are often visible across the rear of the body. The preopercular spines on each side of the head are very sharp and should be avoided when handling the fish.
Habitat
Found in estuaries, estuarine lakes and coastal bays. They occur over sand, mud, gravel and seagrass and can inhabit estuarine waters up to the tidal limit.
Distribution
Dusky Flathead are found in estuaries and coastal bays, from Cairns in Queensland to the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria.
Behaviour
Flathead use their body structure to hide in the sand (their body colour changes to match their background), with only their eyes visible, and explode upwards and outwards to engulf small fish and prawns as they drift over the hidden flathead (ambush predators). Dusky flathead eat small fish and a variety of invertebrates including prawns, crabs and squid.
Edibility
Suited to most cooking methods. The flesh of larger fish can be slightly dry and coarse though avoiding over-cooking by using gentle cooking methods should prevent this. A very popular fish for battering and deepfryng.
Lure suggestion
A common catch on diving lures, flies and soft plastics. Good bait: baitfish (poddy mullet are a great bait), crustaceans, marine worms and fish strips.
Similar species
Other similar species
Other flathead