Ruqayyah Snyder
Flathead are a versatile and popular fish in Australia, where they are fished and consumed throughout the year. They are also exported and served in restaurants. Flathead are known for their unusual body shape, which aids in their hunting strategy. They have two short spikes on either side of their head that contain non-fatal venom. They are found in estuaries and the open ocean in the Indo-Pacific, especially in Australia. Flathead eat a variety of prey, including small fish, crustaceans, prawns, and squid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Small fish, crustaceans, squid, polychaetes, molluscs, prawns, pilchard, bluebait, whitebait |
| Habitat | Continental shelf and slope, depths of 70-490 meters, estuaries, open ocean, sandy zones around and between coastal reefs, estuarine waters |
| Behavior | Hide in sand with only their eyes visible, attack overhead prey |
| Hunting strategy | Explode upwards and outwards to engulf prey, use a combination of ram and suction feeding |
| Size | At least 1 meter in length and 18 kilograms in weight |
| Species | Dusky flathead, rock flathead, tiger flathead, sand flathead, bar-tailed flathead, blue-spotted flathead |
| Fishing methods | Trawls, gillnets, Danish seine, handline, soft plastics, trolling, prawn lures, crankbaits |
| Culinary uses | Battering and deep-frying, roasting, BBQing, marinating, poaching, steaming, grilling, frying, raw ("ceviche" style) |
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What You'll Learn
Flathead are ambush predators that feed on small fish and crustaceans
Flathead are a group of small to medium-sized fish species with notably flat heads. They are found in estuaries and the open ocean in the Indo-Pacific, especially in most parts of Australia. Flathead are dorsally compressed, meaning their bodies are wide but flattened and very low in height. This unusual body shape forms the basis of their hunting strategy. Both eyes are on top of the flattened head, giving them excellent binocular vision to attack overhead prey. This is similar to flounders, but flathead are more elongated, have a vertical tail, and a large, wide, and symmetrical mouth.
Flathead are ambush predators. They use their body structure to hide in sand, with only their eyes visible, and explode upwards and outwards to engulf small fish and prawns as they drift over. They use a combination of ram and suction feeding to improve their chances of catching prey. Flathead are also known to chase prawns aggressively, leaving their cover and moving quickly through the water column. They are versatile eaters, with a diet that includes crustaceans, squid, polychaetes, molluscs, and echinoderms.
Flathead are popular among anglers because they can be caught using a range of baits and lures. They are also a popular choice for table fish, known for their finely textured, sweet, firm, and delicious white flesh. They are suited to most cooking methods, including battering, deep-frying, roasting, BBQing, marinating, poaching, steaming, grilling, and frying.
There are approximately 40 species of flathead caught in Australia, including the dusky flathead, sand flathead, tiger flathead, bar-tailed flathead, rock flathead, and blue-spotted flathead. These species are generally sold together under the generic name of 'Flathead', although individual marketing of certain species like the tiger flathead and rock flathead is becoming more common.
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They are known to aggressively chase prawns
Flathead fish have a unique body shape that they use to their advantage when hunting. Their flat, elongated bodies are well-suited for hiding in the sand, with their eyes often the only visible body part. This camouflage allows them to lie in wait for unsuspecting prey. When prey drifts overhead, the flathead explodes upwards and outwards, engulfing it with a combination of ram and suction feeding. This strategy is particularly effective for capturing small fish and prawns.
Flathead are known to aggressively chase prawns, a behaviour that has been observed by anglers and fishermen. During seasons with an abundance of banana prawns, flathead have been seen to vigorously pursue them. Their hunting strategy is well-suited for this, as they can remain camouflaged until the right moment to strike. The flathead's large mouth allows them to quickly swallow and crush the spiky prawns, preventing them from escaping.
The aggressive nature of flathead's prawn pursuit has been leveraged in fishing techniques. Anglers have found success using prawn imitation lures, particularly when prawns are the primary food source for flathead. The flathead's aggressive feeding behaviour leads them to strike the lures, providing anglers with ample opportunities for a good catch. The key to success with prawn lures lies in the retrieval technique and the addition of scents to mimic the natural prey.
The flathead's hunting strategy is not limited to prawns, however. Their excellent binocular vision, granted by the positioning of their eyes, enables them to effectively target overhead prey. Flathead are versatile hunters, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, squid, polychaetes, molluscs, and echinoderms. They are well-adapted to their environment and utilize their body structure to their advantage when hunting.
In summary, flathead are known to aggressively chase prawns, exhibiting a feeding behaviour that has been leveraged in fishing techniques. Their unique body shape and hunting strategy make them skilled predators, capable of striking quickly and powerfully to capture their prey. The flathead's versatility in prey selection, combined with their aggressive nature, makes them a challenging and rewarding catch for anglers and fishermen alike.
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Squid and strong-smelling bait are also used to catch flathead
Squid, both dead and alive, is a great bait option for catching flathead. Squid strips and tentacles can be used as bait, with the latter being more effective at attracting flathead. The hooks for squid can be placed through the eyes or jaw for dead squid and at the top of the hood or the bottom of the hood just above the tentacles for live squid.
Flathead are also attracted to strong-smelling baits like pilchard, bluebait, and whitebait. These baits stay on the hook quite well. The ideal size of the bait depends on the size of the fish you are targeting, but generally, a 6-10 cm bait is fine for most occasions.
When using dead bait, the bait should be rigged to prevent it from spinning or moving unnaturally. The bait should be thrown where flathead might be, such as over a flat, at the mouth of a drain, or on the edge of a weed bed. It is important to keep the bait close to the bottom, as flathead are ambush predators that hide and wait for prey.
Lures and soft plastics are also effective at catching flathead. The lures can be designed to imitate small fish, crustaceans, and natural prey, or they can attract flathead through colour, movement, and reflective surfaces.
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Flathead are fished year-round, but the warmer months are more productive
Flathead are fished all year round in Australia, but the warmer months are more productive. They are a popular sport and table fish, with around 40 species caught in Australia. Flathead are versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including battering and deep-frying, roasting, BBQing, poaching, steaming, grilling, or frying. They are also eaten raw or marinated.
Flathead have a distinctive body shape, with a flat head and long, broad body. They are dorsally compressed, meaning their body is wide but flattened and very low in height. This body shape informs their hunting strategy. They have excellent binocular vision, with both eyes on top of their flattened head, which they use to attack overhead prey. They also have two short spikes on either side of their head that contain venom. Flathead use their body structure to hide in the sand, with only their eyes visible, and then explode upwards and outwards to engulf small fish and prawns as they drift overhead.
Flathead can be found in estuaries and the open ocean in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in Australia. They are often found in weed beds and depths of less than two meters. They tend to favour rocks and weed beds and can be found in depths of 70-490 meters.
When fishing for flathead, it is important to identify their likely hangout zones and get your bait or lure close to the bottom. Focusing on the edges of channels, drop-offs, and weed beds around sandbanks during a run-out tide can be productive. Using a variety of baits and lures can increase your chances of catching flathead, as they eat a range of prey. They are known to eat small fish, crustaceans, prawns, squid, and stronger-smelling baits like pilchard, bluebait, and whitebait.
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Flathead are a popular table fish in Australia
Flathead are distributed across various genera of the family Platycephalidae and are characterised by their flat heads and elongated bodies. They are dorsally compressed, meaning their bodies are wide but flattened and low in height. This unique body shape informs their hunting strategy, allowing them to hide in sand or mud with only their eyes visible. They then explode upwards and outwards to capture small fish, crustaceans, and prawns using a combination of ram and suction feeding.
The fishing methods for flathead vary, including trawl, gillnets, Danish seine, and handline. The key to catching them is finding their likely hangout zones, such as the edges of channels, drop-offs, and weed beds around sandbanks. They are often found in estuaries and coastal waters across Victoria, particularly near the Gippsland Lakes. Tiger flathead, a species of flathead, prefer deeper water and are usually found offshore in the Bass Strait.
Flathead are a popular choice for anglers due to their accessibility and the variety of baits and lures they respond to. They are attracted to bright lures, especially during periods of no water movement, and will aggressively chase prawns when they are abundant. Squid, pilchard, bluebait, and whitebait are also effective baits for catching flathead. Additionally, flathead do not have a closed season, making them available for fishing all year round.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian flathead eat small fish, crustaceans, prawns, squid, molluscs, and echinoderms.
Australian flatheads hide in the sand with only their eyes visible and explode upwards to engulf their prey. They also chase their prey and are known to be aggressive hunters.
Popular baits for catching flathead include squid, pilchard, bluebait, and whitebait. Lures such as small shallow running bombers, small Smith's Sarunas, and Daiwa Double Clutch are also effective.
Australian flathead can be found in estuaries and coastal waters across Victoria, particularly near Gippsland Lakes. They are also found in deeper waters in the Bass Strait and the Great Australian Bight Sector.
