Other names: Indian flathead, Gobi, Indo-Pacific flathead
The bartail flathead, Platycephalus indicus, is a bottom-dwelling fish found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and northern Australia. Known for its elongated body and distinctive spotted caudal fin, it inhabits sandy and muddy coastal waters. This species is valued in fisheries, aquaculture, and is also a popular gamefish.
Other names
Indian flathead, Gobi, Indo-Pacific flathead
Length
~60" (max 100)
Weight
~1" (max 4)
Water
Salt
Water Temp
21-28° F
Depth
20-200 ft
Prawns
WhitebaitAlways open
8
300 mm
Bartail flatheads thrive on sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters
They frequently inhabit estuaries and are found at depths from shallow to moderate
Juveniles are often found in freshwater environments before moving to brackish waters
Their diet includes crustaceans, small fish, and various invertebrates
Spawning occurs in shallow coastal waters during warmer months
Females lay eggs in the open water, which hatch into pelagic larvae
Juveniles grow in estuarine and freshwater areas before migrating to deeper waters
Adults exhibit site fidelity, often returning to the same areas for feeding and breeding
