The adult is very distinctly diamond shaped and is easily recognised. The fish is dark grey or green in colour.These flounder are experts at changing their colour for camouflage. They reach 43 cm total length.

Shallow estaurine/inlet/harbour waters.

Feed on crabs, bivalves and polychaete worms.

Daily limit per person 30, minimum size 230 mm. Early Maori use long wooden spears and flaming torches to spear Patiki on the mudflats. Recreationally this is common still today.

Manikiam J. S., 1969. A Guide to the flatfishes (Order Heterosomata) of New Zealand. Tuatara vol 17 (3). p 118-129. Raupō Pocket dictionary of modern Maori