Author: Cuvier, 1829
FBname: Dusky flathead
Comments: Generally inhabit shallow bays and inlets and can be found in estuaries as far as tidal limits (Ref. 27246); they often invade freshwater.  They occur over mud, silt gravel, sand and seagrass (mainly <i>Zostera</i> species) beds from intertidal areas to depths of 10 m in Queensland and to 30 m in southern New South Wales.  Eggs and larvae are dispersed along the coast by tidal and current movements (Ref. 27112).  Small juveniles less than 12 cm TL first appear in coastal bays 1-2 months after spawning.  They mainly inhabit shallow mangrove and mud flats and seagrass beds (Ref. 27246, 27245).  They are usually solitary but may form loose aggregations (Ref. 2165, 27247).  Feed on small fish, crabs, prawns, small crustaceans.  octopus, squid and polychaete worms.  They have spines on the outer edges of their head which can inflict nasty cuts during handling (pers. comm., Bernard Moss, 2001).