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Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae

Bartail flathead

Platycephalus endrachtensis

The Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

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Description

The bartail flathead is a flathead (Platycephalidae) from coastal and brackish water of Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a flattened, rearward-tapering, brown-mottled body with a broad, flat head, eyes on top and dark bands on the tail. As an ambush hunter it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of estuaries and coastal water and snaps at lightning speed at passing shrimp and small fish. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bartail flathead?

The Bartail flathead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bartail flathead live?

The Bartail flathead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Bartail flathead get?

The Bartail flathead grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Bartail flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Bartail flathead is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — CSIRO (CC BY 3.0)
Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae — 3
Chi Phan (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sascha Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bartail flathead sourced
Scientific name
Platycephalus endrachtensis
Family
Platycephalidae
Other names
Bar-tailed flathead; Flagtail flathead; Flathead; Northern sand flathead; Northern-flag tailed flathead; Sand flathead; Western estuary flathead; Yellowtail flathead verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Platycephalus

More from the family Platycephalidae

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