Other names: Black flathead
The dusky flathead, Platycephalus fuscus, is a demersal fish native to Australia, commonly found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries. Recognizable by its flattened body and large mouth, it is prized in recreational fishing and commercial fisheries. The dusky flathead's diet includes small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
Other names
Black flathead
Length
~45" (max 130)
Weight
~2" (max 15)
Water
Salt, brackish
Depth
30 ft
Berkley Gulp! Shrimp
Bluefish
Crustaceans
Cut Bait (Fish)
Herring
Jackall Bros Squirrel
Molix RA Shad
Mollusks
Mullet
MusselsAlways open
5
55 cm
30 cm
Total length
Dusky flatheads inhabit shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal inlets, often venturing into freshwater
They prefer sandy, muddy, and seagrass-covered bottoms
These fish are opportunistic predators, feeding on small fish, crabs, prawns, and cephalopods
Juveniles are commonly found in mangrove areas and seagrass beds for protection and feeding
Spawning occurs from spring to summer, with eggs and larvae dispersed by tides and currents
Males guard nests where females lay eggs, which hatch in about a week
Juveniles inhabit shallow, vegetated coastal areas before moving to deeper waters as they grow
There is some debate about whether dusky flatheads are protandrous, meaning they change sex from male to female as they age
