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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Deepwater flathead

Platycephalus conatus Waite & McCulloch, 1915
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
20 yrs
Trophic Level
4
Depth
70–490 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
53.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

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

Scientific Name
Platycephalus conatus
Authority
Waite & McCulloch, 1915
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Max Length
70 cm
Lifespan
20 years
Depth Range
70–490 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
53.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Deepwater flathead is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Deepwater flathead is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Deepwater flathead is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
40cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 70 - 490 m . Subtropical; 27°S - 41°S endemic to the southern waters of Australia, from Marrawah in northwestern Tasmania to latitude 27°S off Western Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4±0.59
Food Items

fish, crustaceans and squid (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00457 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
70cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
53.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Waite & McCulloch, 1915

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Deepwater flathead is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Deepwater flathead is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Deepwater flathead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Neoplatycephalus conatus Waite & McCulloch 1915 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 30 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Deepwater flathead ↗
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