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Longhead Flathead Leviprora inops (Jenyns, 1840)
[CAAB 37 296005]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Inshore waters off the south and west coasts of Australia from Kangaroo Island (South Australia) to Shark Bay (Western Australia), but primarily distributed in Western Australia. Demersal in mostly shallow waters, commonly on rocky reefs with rich vegetation; juveniles often found buried in sand in seagrass areas.

Size:

Maximum length at least 61 cm; maximum weight at least 2.5 kg.

Food and feeding:

Primarily piscivorous, also large benthic crustaceans.

Characteristics:

D I, VII (rarely VIII), 12; A 11 or 12; C 15; P 17-19; V I, 5; Llat (pored) 50-54.

Body elongate, slightly depressed. Head very long (length ~40% SL), strongly depressed, relatively smooth with low ridges; eyes moderately large (16-18% HL), iris lappet long fringed; mouth very large with very small teeth in a broad band on each jaw and two separate patches on vomer; two small, inconspicuous preopercular spines at angle of preopercle. Scales small, finely ctenoid, covering body and most of head behind eyes; lateral line nearly straight; lateral line scales subequal to adjacent scales on side, lacking spines or ridges along entire length of lateral line. First dorsal fin spinous with short base, first spine very short, detached, middle spines tall. Second dorsal fin with moderately long base, rays nearly as long as longest first dorsal spines. Anal fin similar in shape, and opposite. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins moderately small. Pelvic fins long, based below centre of pectoral fins.

Colour:

Sandy to pinkish brown dorsally with irregular spots and blotches (becomes dark brown after capture); pale ventrally. Fins covered with dark and light spots forming indistinct lines; first dorsal fin with oblique brown band on distal half.

Fisheries:

May be caught incidentally in trawls and nets.

Conservation Status:

None.

Other common names:

Crocodile Flathead, Weed Flathead, Long-headed Flathead.

Original citation:

Platycephalus inops Jenyns, 1840, Zool. Voy. ‘Beagle', Fish: 33, King George Sound, 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).

Gomon, M.F., Glover, J.C.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (1994) The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide, 992 pp.

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.