Home · Platycephalidae · Bartail flathead
Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) — Platycephalidae

Bartail flathead

Platycephalus endrachtensis

The Bartail flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Platycephalidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bartail flathead is a flathead (Platycephalidae) from coastal and brackish water of Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a flattened, rearward-tapering, brown-mottled body with a broad, flat head, eyes on top and dark bands on the tail. As an ambush hunter it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of estuaries and coastal water and snaps at lightning speed at passing shrimp and small fish. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bartail flathead?

The Bartail flathead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bartail flathead live?

The Bartail flathead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bartail flathead get?

The Bartail flathead grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Bartail flathead dangerous to humans?

No, the Bartail flathead is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandstaart-platkop sourced
English name
Bartail flathead sourced
Scientific name
Platycephalus endrachtensis
Family
Platycephalidae
Other names
Bar-tailed flathead; Flagtail flathead; Flathead; Northern sand flathead verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Platycephalus

More from the family Platycephalidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →