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Regan's flathead (Grammoplites suppositus) — Platycephalidae

Regan's flathead

Grammoplites suppositus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Regan's flathead (Grammoplites suppositus) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–94.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Regan's flathead is a flathead from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a strongly flattened, sand-coloured body with fine dark spots and a broad, flat head. As an ambush hunter it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf, between about 30 and 95 metres, and snaps lightning-fast at passing fish and crustaceans. It is a local bycatch and food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Regan's flathead?

The Regan's flathead has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Broad flat head; camouflaged buried ambush predator

Where does the Regan's flathead live?

The Regan's flathead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Regan's flathead get?

The Regan's flathead grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Regan's flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Regan's 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.

Is the Regan's flathead edible?

Yes, the Regan's flathead is commonly eaten.

More photos

Regan's flathead (Grammoplites suppositus) — Platycephalidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Regan's flathead verified
Scientific name
Grammoplites suppositus
Family
Platycephalidae
Other names
Spotfin flathead verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
94.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Camouflaged bottom ambush predator; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Broad flat head; camouflaged buried ambush predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Net fishing sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Grammoplites

More from the family Platycephalidae

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