The eyes are on the dorsal surface, the snout is broad and greatly flattened and the mouth is large usually with tiny teeth. Most species are yellow, pinkish or brown above and on the sides, with varying spots and mottling, fading to pink, white or silver below. Larvae and juveniles are collected in shallower water than adults. The eyes of the larvae are lateral, moving dorsally with growth. They feed on a range of crustacea and fishes.
Spiny flatheads are of no commercial use.
The flesh is supposedly of good quality but even the largest fish have very little meat. McGrouther, M.A. 1999. FAO species identification guide for Fishery purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific.