Bartail flathead
📖 Overview
Found on sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters . Frequently in estuaries, juveniles have been taken in freshwater. Taken by handlining and seining in shallow waters and by trawling at depths to 30 m, usually less . A good food fish that is marketed fresh . Commercially cultured in Japan. Used in Chinese medicine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13. Brownish or grayish above, whitish below; caudal fin 2-3 horizontal black stripes . Head strongly depressed. Preopercular spines 2, lower usually longest. Vomerine teeth in a single transverse band. Dorsal fin I,VII,I, I,I,VII,I or I,VIII, 13. Anteriormost lateral line scale usually with a small spine or ridge. Diagonal scale rows slanting backward above lateral line 83-107. Iris lappet a single elongated lobe. Identified by the distinctive color pattern on the caudal fin: centrally yellow and black stripes on upper and lower margins .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bartail flathead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Bartail flathead is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Also Ref. 103751.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 20 - 200 m . Subtropical; 32°N - 35°S, 18°E - 157°E West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japan and Korea, south to northern Australia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bartail 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 | 18.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 211 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bartail flathead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callionymus indicus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Cottus insidiator | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Cottus madagascariensis | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Platycephalus insidiator | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 33 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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