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Bluespotted Flathead Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus McCulloch, 1922
[CAAB 37 296007]

Distribution Map see an interactive map here (new window)

Distribution, ecology and habitat:

Coastal, estuarine and continental shelf waters of eastern Australia from Calliope River (Queensland) to Lakes Entrance (Victoria); also recorded off Lord Howe Island. Demersal on soft bottoms, mostly in 50-90 m depth.

Size:

Maximum length at least 60 cm; maximum weight at least 1.5 kg.

Food and feeding:

Primarily piscivorous, also large benthic crustaceans.

Characteristics:

D VIII, 13 or 14; A 13 or 14; P 20; V I, 5; Llat (pored) 85-92.

Body elongate, slightly depressed. Head large (length 31-33% SL), moderately depressed, with several pairs of prominent, spineless ridges, lower side bicarinate; eyes moderately large (16-23% HL), iris lappet a simple elongated lobe; mouth large, extending to about level with anterior margin of eye; teeth small, pointed on jaws, in a single patch on vomer and in a single row on each palatine, no enlarged canines; two strong preopercular spines at angle of preopercle, lower spine slightly longer than upper, a third very small posterior spine also present; first gill arch with 13-15 gill rakers on lower limb; interopercular flap present. Scales small, finely ctenoid, covering body and most of head behind eyes; lateral line scales similar to those adjacent on side, anteriormost one or two scales usually with a small spine or ridge. First dorsal fin spinous with short base, first spine very short, detached, following spines much longer. Second dorsal fin with moderately long base, anterior rays longest, slightly shorter than longest first dorsal-fin spine. Anal fin similar in shape, opposite and slightly longer-based than second dorsal fin. Caudal fin truncate. Pectoral fins moderate sized. Pelvic fins long, based below centre of pectoral fins. Swim bladder absent.

Colour:

Colour variable; brownish dorsally with pale blue to whitish or red spots; a large dark blotch on underside of operculum; pale to whitish ventrally. Caudal-fin margin with 3 short, dark brownish stripes above a single dark blotch; pectoral and pelvic fins with small brown spots forming indistinct bands; anal fin whitish.

Fisheries:

Taken in significant numbers by prawn and fish trawls off New South Wales; commonly caught by anglers fishing offshore (including drift fishing for snapper, Pagrus auratus).

Other common names:

Bluespot Flathead, Blue-spotted Flathead, Drift Flathead, Eastern Blue-spot Flathead, Longnose Flathead, Long-nosed Flathead, Red Flathead, Red Spotted Flathead, Sand Flathead, Yank.

Original citation:

Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus McCulloch, 1922, Aust. Zool. 2(3): 120, Port Jackson, New South Wales.

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.

Imamura, H. (2006) Rediagnosis of the marbled flathead, Platycephalus marmoratus (Actinopterygii: Teleostei: Platycephalidae), with comments on the composition of the type series. Species Diversity 11: 295-306.

Whitley, G.P. (1931) Studies in ichthyology. No. 5. Records of the Australian Museum 18(4): 138-160.

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (2001) Australian Seafood Handbook: an identification guide to domestic species. FRDC / CSIRO Marine Research, 469 pp.