Flathead growth & reproduction (P. fuscus)

[Eug]

Study put out by NSW DPI about sizing and sexual maturity of the Dusky Flathead (Platycephalus fuscus). All credit to Gray, C A. et al, 2008.

It's a bit of a read and I'll try to summarise as best I can.

• Study was performed in NSW between 2001 and 2006

• Approximately 7700 fish were sampled (sizes ranged from 5.7cm to 98.5cm)

• Female dusky flathead are reproductively active between November and March

• Male dusky flathead are reproductively active between September and March

• Length at which 50% of the population is mature were:

o 56.75cm (tail length) for females (age 4.55 years)

o 31.72cm (tail length) for males (age 1.22 years)

• Females generally grew faster than males in length and weight in respect to age

• Largest observed was 98.5cm (TL) with an estimated age of 16 years

• A large number of females from 40-70cm

• Very few males past 50cm

• The length for any given age can vary as much as 20cm (i.e. 1 year old can be between 20-40cm in females and a 3 year old can be between 30-50cm)

o That said I would think accurately estimating age would be difficult, these are estimates using otolith (an inner ear of sorts) banding.

Not sure exactly how applicable this would be to our warmer waters here in QLD but it is certainly interesting read nonetheless. I know a lot of AFO members have been taking the 45-55cm sizes and that seems like a good idea given the results found.

I've attached the paper in question if anyone would like to read further.

[Eug]

how do you attach files?

found a link: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/237794/WF-2008_Output-1053_Gray-et-al_Dusky-Fl

would still like to know how to attach pdfs though.

cheers

eug

[Joel Eadie]

good info thanks eug, i was told around 65cm was when they turned to female so thats good to know

[chonna]

interesting........

[JamesMac]

As strange as that was(not offense intended)

i enjoyed reading it

are there any others e.g. bream, Mullet

and does it have any ifomation about there feeding habbits :laugh:|

Thanks

[hooked_on_trout]

are there any others e.g. bream, Mullet

and does it have any infomation about there feeding habbits |

Google scholar will find you some info.

Just type in the fishes scientific name.

Google Scholar-Platycephalus fuscus

cheers

[thriller]

Thanks for the post..

Always nice to have a rough idea how old a fish is!