FOR WAYS THAT ARE DARK. Ill 



FLATHEADS. 



Dusky Flathead {Platycephalus fuscus). 



Pl.ATK l.XXVII. 



Somewhat repulsive in appearance, the Flatheads, 

 generally, must undoubtedly claim a highly important place 

 among the food-fishes of the States of the Commonwealth of 

 Australia in general, and of New South Wales in particular. 

 As far as New South Wales is concerned, that which is of the 

 greatest value at present is the Dusky or Common Flathead, 

 being, as it is, one of the principal market fi.shes. A quantity of 

 about 525,000 pounds weight (or 7,000 baskets) is brought 

 to market annually, and in addition a very considerable 

 quantity is captured by anglers using handlines. 



As an edible fish, it is of very good quality, the flesh 

 being white, firm, and flaky, though just a little dry. 



This Flathead is a fish of the estuaries, and it is plenti- 

 fully distributed along the whole of the New South Wales 

 coastline, being found most abundantly in water of from 

 3 or 4 fathoms in depth up to a few inches at low tide, and 

 on bottoms which are composed wholly, or in part, of mud. 

 (I have described the habits of this species in " Fishes of 

 Australia," page 197). 



In color it varies according to situation, from a dark- 

 brown or blackish with cross-bands of black in muddy 

 localities, to a light sandy-grey with somewhat darker bands 

 in sandy places. 



The Dusky Flathead attains a large size, specimens of 

 a length of 4 feet being not unknown; those of a length of 

 from 2 to 2i feet, however, are considered large, while the 

 average of those marketed would be much less. 



Being of a highly carnivorous nature, nothing comes 

 amiss to this hungry fish, even the young of its own species 

 being occasionally taken. 



