Longhead Flathead

The longhead flathead has an elongated, slightly flattened body with a very long head, the length of the head being two-fifths of its standard length. The head is highly flattened and comparatively smooth with very few low, bony ridges and large eyes which have a long, fringed lappet on the iris. The mouth is large with a wide band of small teeth on each of the jaws and two distinct patches of vomerine teeth. There are two very small spines on the angle of the preoperculum. The short based first dorsal fin contains 8 or 9 spines with the first spine being separate and very short. The second dorsal fin is long based and contains 12 soft rays. The anal fin is opposite the second dorsal fin and is similar in shape with between 11 and 13 soft rays. The maximum recorded length is 61 cm (24 in) ans maximum weight is no less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). The upper body is sandy to pinkish marked with irregularly shaped spots and blotches, paler on the lower body. The fins are marked with vague lines of dark and light spots and there is a diagonal brown band on the upper part of the first dorsal fin.

The long head flathead is endemic to southwestern Australia where it occurs from Kangaroo Island and Gulf St Vincent in South Australia west to the Swan River in Western Australia. This species lives in shallow coastal waters, particularly on rocky reefs covered in dense vegetation while the juveniles are frequently observed buried in sand in seagrass beds. It is found at depths down to 20 m (66 ft).