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Bigtooth Flathead Platycephalus chauliodous Knapp, 1991
[CAAB 37 296039]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Coastal and inshore waters of southwest Australia from Cape Freycinet to north of Rottnest Island. Demersal on soft bottoms and near rocky reefs in 0-40 m (usually <10 m) depth.

Size:

Maximum length at least 47 cm.

Food and feeding:

Presumably primarily piscivorous, also large benthic crustaceans.

Characteristics:

D 0-I, VII, I, 14 or 15; A 13 or 14; (usually 13); C 10 or 11 (usually 11); P 19 or 20; V I, 5; Llat (pored) 59-65.

Body elongate, slightly depressed. Head large (length ~32% SL), depressed, with several low, mostly spineless ridges, lower side slightly bicarinate; eyes small (~11% HL), round, mouth large, extending to about level with anterior margin of eye; jaws, vomer and palatines with enlarged canines (becoming smaller anteriorly on jaws), vomer crescent-like; two strong, similar-sized preopercular spines at angle of preopercle; first gill arch with 2 gill rakers on upper limb, 9 or 10 on lower limb. Scales small, finely ctenoid, covering body and nape, top of head naked; 90-100 oblique rows of scales above lateral line, lacking spines, a single pore opening.

Colour:

Reddish brown dorsally with dark spots; sides yellowish brown with dark brown spots; ventrally white, cheeks bright yellow. Dorsal fins hyaline with brownish pink spots on rays and spines; caudal fin rays reddish brown with hyaline connections; pectoral fins with reddish brown spots superiorly, orange brown spots inferiorly; pelvic fins orange brown with 8 or 9 brownish green cross bars; anal fin white with orange spots on rays.

Fisheries:

Infrequently taken from shallow coastal reefs.

Conservation Status:

None.

Other common names:

Large-toothed Flathead.

Original citation:

Platycephalus chauliodous Knapp, 1991, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 104(1): 23-29, south of Carnac Island, Western Australia.

References:

Eschmeyer, W.N. (2008) The Catalogue of Fishes on-line. (California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco) Available from: http://www.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp (15 March, 2008).

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006) Fishes. In: P.L. Beesley & A. Wells (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia Volume 35. Parts 1-3. Australian Biological Resources Study and CSIRO Publishing, 2248 pp.

Hutchins, B. & Swainston, R. (1986) Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Swainston Publishing, Perth. 179 pp.

Knapp, L.W. (1991) Platycephalus chauliodous, a new flathead fish from the eastern Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Platycephalidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 104(1): 23-29.