Mud Flathead, Ambiserrula jugosa (McCulloch 1914)

Scientific name: Ambiserrula jugosa
  • Updated
    06/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Ambiserrula jugosa Click to enlarge image
A Mud Flathead at a depth of 15 m, Shiprock, Port Hacking, New South Wales, January 2002. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Ambiserrula
    Species
    jugosa
    Family
    Platycephalidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Introduction

The Mud Flathead is pale with dark mottling and its eyes have long, branched iris lappets.

In the past, this species has been called Suggrundus jugosus and Insidiator jugosus. A review of the family (Platycephalidae) by Imamura placed this species in the genus Ambiserrula.

Identification

The Mud Flathead has a pale body with variable brown, black or dusky mottling on the body and fins. The sides of the head and lower jaw are often banded.

The eyes have long, branched iris lappets. Many other species of flatheads such as the Crocodile Fish, Tasselsnout Flathead, and Fringe-eye Flathead also have iris lappets.

Habitat

The Mud Flathead inhabits muddy estuaries. It is usually buried in the substrate during the day and feeds at night.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Australia. It is known from the central coast of Queensland to central New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Imamura, H. 1996. Phylogeny of the Family Platycephalidae and Related Taxa (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) Species Diversity 1(2):123-233.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 408.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 469.