Dr. Glen Whisson, Aqua Research and Monitoring Services, Australien
Info
Platycephalus laevigatus is in greenish to pale brown flatfish with darker stripes on the back, a broken middle stripe and a yellow tail with dark spots.
Some specimens have a spotted or marbled pattern.
Platycephalus has a small, narrow, slightly (namesake) flattened head, and the upper spine at the corner of the gill cover is longer than the lower spine.
Platycephalus laevigatus inhabits rocky reef, sandy, and seagrass areas in shallow, vegetated, nearshore waters
Instead of burrowing in sustrat, this species prefers to rest on hard, weedy surfaces or seagrass beds (Zostera) and wait for passing snacks (fish as well as from large benthic crustaceans).
This species is most active at dusk and night.
The flathead is the most prized flathead species because of its excellent taste.
Synonym: Platycephalus proximus Castelnau, 1872
Some specimens have a spotted or marbled pattern.
Platycephalus has a small, narrow, slightly (namesake) flattened head, and the upper spine at the corner of the gill cover is longer than the lower spine.
Platycephalus laevigatus inhabits rocky reef, sandy, and seagrass areas in shallow, vegetated, nearshore waters
Instead of burrowing in sustrat, this species prefers to rest on hard, weedy surfaces or seagrass beds (Zostera) and wait for passing snacks (fish as well as from large benthic crustaceans).
This species is most active at dusk and night.
The flathead is the most prized flathead species because of its excellent taste.
Synonym: Platycephalus proximus Castelnau, 1872
