Scientific Name
Platycephalus conatus

Common Name
Deep-water flathead

Biology
Occurs on the continental shelf and upper slope (Ref. 9563). Feeds primarily on fish, crustaceans and squid (Ref. 6390). Probably forms aggregations by sex (Ref. 27192). Sold as fresh, chilled, or frozen fillets in the domestic market.

Classification

Classified By

Waite & McCulloch, 1915

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Flatheads (Platycephalidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: endemic to the southern waters of Australia, from Marrawah in northwestern Tasmania to latitude 27?S off Western Australia. This species has been confused with Platycephalus speculator until recently.

Range

27°S - 41°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

70 m

Depth To - meters

490 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 70 - 490 m (Ref. 6390)

Trophic Level

4.2 s.e. 0.68 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

70.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (66 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=4-6; tmax=20)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated