Platycephalidae

Platycephalidae, commonly known as flatheads, is a family of ray-finned fishes within the order Scorpaeniformes. The family includes several genera, with Platycephalus among the best represented, and is distributed mainly in warm coastal seas of the Indo-Pacific, from eastern Africa and the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to the western and central Pacific, with some species reaching temperate shores.

Flatheads are demersal, benthic predators with a dorsoventrally flattened head and body adapted to life on soft substrates. They typically have two dorsal fins, the first spine-bearing, and a large mouth. Coloration is generally mottled or banded to match the substrate, providing camouflage on sandy and muddy bottoms.

Habitat and ecology: Platycephalidae inhabit shallow coastal bays, estuaries, and sandy or muddy bottoms, including seagrass beds. They are ambush predators, relying on camouflage to surprise prey. Diet consists mainly of smaller fish and crustaceans.

Life history: Reproduction is sexual, with eggs and larvae that are often pelagic in many species. Growth and maturity vary among species, with adult sizes ranging widely from small to moderately large for the group.

Fisheries and human use: Several species are caught in artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout their range, valued for their firm flesh. They are sometimes marketed simply as flathead or under common names such as tiger flathead or bartail flathead. Habitat degradation and overfishing in some areas have prompted management measures in parts of their range.

Etymology and taxonomy: The name derives from Greek platys "flat" and kephale "head." The family is within Scorpaeniformes and includes multiple genera, the best known being Platycephalus.