Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus Cuvier, 1829

Scientific name: Platycephalus fuscus
Alternative name/s:
Black Flathead, Dusky, Estuary Flathead, Flattie, Frog, Lizard, Mud Flathead, River Flathead
Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus Click to enlarge image
A Dusky Flathead caught by Australian Museum Fish Section staff, near the Cunjurong Point boat ramp, Lake Conjola, 17 March 2011. The fish was returned to the water unharmed. AMS I.45634-010 Image: Amanda Hay
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Platycephalus
    Species
    fuscus
    Family
    Platycephalidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Dusky Flathead is the largest Australian flathead species, reaching 1.2 m and a weight of at least 15 kg. It is often caught by anglers in New South Wales.

Introduction

The Dusky Flathead is the largest Australian flathead species. It can be recognised by patterns on the pectoral and caudal fins.

Identification

Many Australian flatheads can be recognised by the patterns on their pectoral and caudal fins. The pectoral fins of the Dusky Flathead have rows of fine brown spots. The tail is blueish grey below, spotted above and has a dark spot near the margin. The body varies from dark brown to sandy with spots.

Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus - tail
Platycephalus fuscus I.45634-010 head
Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus

Habitat

It lives in a range of habitats from sheltered rocky reefs to sandy or muddy areas at depths of less than 1 m to 25 m.

Distribution

This species occurs from southern Queensland to Victoria.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

Like all flatheads, the Dusky Flathead is a predator. Flatheads feed on fishes, crustaceans and sand-dwelling squid (Kuiter, 2000).

Life history cycle

The following quotes are from Gray & Barnes, 2008.

"Estimated size at maturity for female Dusky Flathead is 56.75 cm."

"Female Dusky Flathead reach sexual maturity later and at a larger size than males. On average, males take 1.2 years to reach the L50*, females however, take more than 4 years to reach the estimated L50 although some females mature at approximately 2 years of age."

*L50 = "Length at which 50 percent of the population is mature."

Breeding behaviours

"Estimates of fecundity for Dusky Flathead range from 294,000 to 3,948,000 eggs." (Gray & Barnes, 2008)

References

  1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  2. Gray, C.A & L.M. Barnes. 2008. Reproduction and growth of dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) in NSW estuaries. NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries Final Report Series. No. 101. ISSN 1449-9967, Pp 26.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.