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Fish Photos & Information

Fish, Crustaceans & Cephalopods

Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber)

There are more than 40 species of Flathead found in Australia. Most of these are found from southern QLD, south around the southern half of Australia to South West Western Australia.

The dusky is the largest member of the family Platycephalidae, which contains more than 30 species, at least 14 of which are taken by anglers from time to time. Most of the more common flathead may be separated and identified by carefully examining the colouration and markings on the tail or caudal fin. The dusky flathead or dusky is also known as the estuary flathead and mud flathead, while it and other members of this extensive family are also commonly referred to as "flatties", "frogs", "lizards", "croc's" and "Yanks".

Flathead are characterised by their flattened bodies (less flattened in the tiger flathead), broad, spade-like heads, large mouths and fine teeth. Sets of sharp spines covered in mildly venomous mucus are located on the gill covers. The flathead's camouflaged colouration is extremely variable, ranging from very light sandy white or fawn with darker bars and blue, red and black spots or "stars" to brick red or almost jet black. The flathead's belly is almost always creamy, creamy-yellow or white.

Flathead are found in shallow estuaries and lakes and inhabit streams as far upstream as the tidal limits, but they often are found in freshwater. They are also found offshore on sandy or gravel bottoms and seagrass beds. Their range is from intertidal areas to depths of 10 metres. Sand Flathead have been found at depths of up to 100 metres.

Angling for Flathead:

Flathead may be fished for in a variety of ways. Many are taken on bottom-fished or drifted baits of small, live or dead "poddy" mullet or herring, pilchards, whitebait, sprats, anchovy and strips of mullet, tailor, yellowtail, tuna or garfish, as well as yabbies, nippers, marine worms, shellfish and prawns. When using dead baits, results are often improved by retrieving the bait slowly over the seabed, or by using the tide and current to keep the boat or rig moving.

Flathead are also a recognised lure and fly fishing target. They respond particularly well to small and medium sized metal spoons, rubber-tailed jigs, floating/diving or sinking minnows, plugs and streamer flies. These should be presented close to the bottom for best results.

Flathead are a lazy fish who lie partly covered in mud or sand and wait for their prey to be within a close distance, though occasionally they are scavenging feeders. Their diet consists of small fish, crabs, prawns and other small crustaceans, octopus, squid and worms.

Sand Flathead catches of southern New South Wales and in eastern Bass Strait are controlled by the Commonwealth of Australia under regulations applying to the South East Fishery. Gear restrictions and legal minimum lengths apply in all States.

The maximum age of flathead is 9 years and the maximum size is 46 - 120 cm tail length. Weight maximums are 3 - 15 kg.

Flathead are also a popular recreational fish. Wire traces are recommended as they have sharp, powerful mouths. Live, small fish are a very successful bait. Fishing on the edge of sandbars and particularly on the edge of channels in marine lakes produces good catches.

INFORMATION ON FISHING FOR FLATHEAD

Bartailed Flathead

Northern Sand Flathead

Dusky Flathead

Yellowtailed Flathead

Cooking Flathead:

The colour of raw Flathead fillet is white. When cooked, the flesh is tender to firm and flakes easily. They have a low fat content and has a distinct, mild flavour. Flathead are highly rated table fish with firm, white and flaky flesh which tends towards dryness in larger fish. They are best suited to recipes which help to maintain moisture content in the flesh while cooking.

Flathead fillets are normally sold wing-on (when the wing is taken off, recovery is significantly reduced). When comparing prices, compare fillets of the same type, that is wing-on or wing-off. Skinned and boned-out fillets, commonly referred to as tails , are increasingly available.

Gurnard fillets are sometimes incorrectly sold as flathead fillets.

Flatheads are superb table fishes, with finely textured flesh. The use of a sauce or marinade will overcome the slightly dry texture sometimes evident in these fishes after cooking.

They are a popular choice for traditional preparation of a light battering, and served with chips and tartare or mayonnaise. Experiment with baking, barbecuing and poaching or add flathead to a bouillabaisse.

Add zest with lemon or dill, tomato relish, balsamic vinegar and garlic.

Skinless flathead fillets have a good recovery rate and are well known to most diners.

Microwave Cooking Times for Fish
- Fish fillets – 5 minutes per 500g on medium-high, +50 seconds more for thicker fillets, or until flesh flakes
- Whole fish - Large – 6 minutes/750g on medium
- Whole fish – Small – 3-4 minutes on medium

Commercial Fishing for Flathead:

Commercial fishing for Flathead is an important fishery in NSW with most capture being in late Autumn to early spring, and are mainly caught using gill nets and tunnel nets.

Wild caught

Recovery Rate
Fillets (skin on, wings on): 60% from whole flathead (gut in), Fillets (skin on, wings off): 50% from whole flathead (gut in). Recovery rate varies with species.

More links about Flathead