Marbled Flathead, Platycephalus marmoratus Stead, 1908
Introduction
The Marbled Flathead has an elongate body covered with small ctenoid scales. The species lives in marine waters on sandy or rubbly bottoms.
Identification
The Marbled Flathead has an elongate body covered with small ctenoid scales. Its colouration is variable but adults usually have white borders to the caudal, anal and ventral fins, and a distinctive marbled pattern dorsally.
Habitat
The species lives in marine waters on sandy or rubbly bottoms. Adults live at depths between 20 m and 80 m, but juveniles are commonly found in water as shallow as 3 m.
Distribution
The Marbled Flathead is recorded from south-eastern Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Imamura, H. & L.W. Knapp. 2009. Platycephalus orbitalis, a new species of flathead (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) collected from western Australia. Zootaxa. 2271: 57–63.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.