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Big-eyed flathead (Suggrundus meerdervoortii) — Platycephalidae

Big-eyed flathead

Suggrundus meerdervoortii
LC · Least Concern

The Big-eyed flathead (Suggrundus meerdervoortii) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The big-eyed flathead is a flathead from the Indo-West Pacific, including around Japan and China. The species grows to about 16 cm and has the strongly flattened head characteristic of flatheads, with large, high-set eyes and a broad body tapering to the rear. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried in sandy and muddy bottoms, where it ambushes small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big-eyed flathead?

The Big-eyed flathead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Big-eyed flathead live?

The Big-eyed flathead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Big-eyed flathead get?

The Big-eyed flathead grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Big-eyed flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Big-eyed flathead is harmless to humans.

Is the Big-eyed flathead edible?

The Big-eyed flathead is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootoog-platkop verified
English name
Big-eyed flathead verified
Scientific name
Suggrundus meerdervoortii
Family
Platycephalidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Suggrundus

More from the family Platycephalidae

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