Bartail Flathead
The bartail flathead, Platycephalus indicus, is a bottom-dwelling fish found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and northern Australia. Known for its elongated body and distinctive spotted caudal fin, it inhabits sandy and muddy coastal waters. This species is valued in fisheries, aquaculture, and is also a popular gamefish.
Length~60 (max 100)
Weight~1 (max 4)
WaterSalt
Water Temp21-28° F
Depth20-200 ft
- Other namesIndian flathead, Gobi, Indo-Pacific flathead
- Length~60 (max 100)
- Weight~1 (max 4)
- WaterSalt
- Water Temp21-28° F
- Depth20-200 ft
Popular lures for Bartail Flathead
Regulation for Bartail Flathead
- SeasonAlways open
- Bag limit8
- Vessel limit-
- Trophy limits-
- Max size-
- Min size300 mm
- Measurement-
- Prohibited methods-
Living Conditions
🐟 Habitat preferences
- Bartail flatheads thrive on sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters
- They frequently inhabit estuaries and are found at depths from shallow to moderate
- Juveniles are often found in freshwater environments before moving to brackish waters
- Their diet includes crustaceans, small fish, and various invertebrates
♻️ Life cycle and mating behavior
- Spawning occurs in shallow coastal waters during warmer months
- Females lay eggs in the open water, which hatch into pelagic larvae
- Juveniles grow in estuarine and freshwater areas before migrating to deeper waters
- Adults exhibit site fidelity, often returning to the same areas for feeding and breeding