General Description

Head large, flattened with low, mostly spineless ridges, mouth large with greatly enlarged canines on jaws, gill cover with two strong, similar-sized spines at angle. Grey-brown above with many small reddish orange spots, and often several large greyish blotches along midsides, pale below; fins spotted, tail mostly dusky, especially on outer middle part, pale near base, with a few small faint dusky blotches dorsally. To 65 cm.

Biology

An extremely important commercial species, and very popular with anglers in Port Phillip (Victoria) over summer. Their fins spines are venomous.

Habitat

Bays and along the coast, on sandy and silty bottoms, in depths of 10-160 m.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Flatheads

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

65 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Venomous spines can inflict mild to severe pain.

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

• Fishes - Flatheads

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed