Southern sand flathead
📖 Overview
Inhabit coastal waters from shallow bays and inlets to depths of about 100 m over sand, shell grit and mud substrates . Sand flathead are usually solitary but may form loose aggregations . They sometimes move long distances . They are active foragers and ambush predators , occasionally are scavengers . Feed on crustaceans and fish . Its fin spines are venomous, can inflict mild to severe pain .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 18 - 20. This species differs from Platycephalus westraliae in having the following characters: both second dorsal and anal fin rays usually 14 (vs. 13), total gill rakers 18-20 (vs. 10); palatine with a tooth band comprised of several irregular rows of conical teeth (vs. with an inner larger conical and an outer smaller villiform tooth rows); caudal fin with several small pale brown spots on the upper lobe and one or two large dark brown or black spots on the lower lobe, and with concave posterior margin (vs. with 3 dark bands and with mostly straight posterior margin) .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern sand flathead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Platycephalus bassensis is an ambush predator which buries itself in the sediment feeding on fishes and large benthic crustaceans.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 100 m . Temperate; 30°S - 43°S known only from southern Australia.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans and fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Southern sand flathead is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 1,010 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Southern sand flathead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 18 records indexed .
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