Rock Flathead

Platycephalus laevigatus has a slightly flattened, elongate body with a small head which is also slightly flattened and is smooth, lacking ridges. The large eyes are positioned well forward on the head and have a single, lobed lappet. The mouth is large and has small pointed teeth in a band on the jaws with no enlarged canine-like teeth. The two spines on the peroperculum are moderately sized and are sited on its angle, the upper spine is the longer one. The first dorsal fin is short based and has 8 or 9 spines, usually 9, with the first spine being very small and separated. The second dorsal fin has a relatively long base as does the anal fin, the second dorsal fin has 14 or 15 soft rays while the anal fin between 13 and 15 soft rays. The caudal fin is rounded. The background colour is greenish to pale brown flathead marked with darker bars across the back. There is a broken stripe in the middle of the flanks and the tail is yellow with dark spots. Some specimens may be patterned with spots or marbling. The maximum published total length of this species is 50 cm (20 in).

Platycephalus laevigatus is endemic to Australia where it is found from Greenwell Point in New South Wales to Geographe Bay in Western Australia, its range extends around Tasmania too. It occurs on rocky reefs, sand and seagrass beds in coastal waters down to at least 20 m (66 ft).