7 photos - 3 species
Introduction
There are 19 genera and around 80 species.
The flatheads are named after their flat, large head, which is often covered with spines.
Their body is elongated, slightly flattened at the front, rounded at the back and thin and covered with small comb scales.
Fish that swim up to one metre above the crocodilefish are snatched by the crocodilefish suddenly leaping up vertically.
The lower jaw protrudes.
Depending on the species, they grow to between 17 cm and 1.1 metres in length.
Cociella Punctata
Flathead
Maximum length: 25 - 35 cm
Depth: 10 - 300 m
Crocodile fish - They are also known as flatheads,
usually live very close to the coast in tropical latitudes of the Indo-Pacific.
The fish prefer continental coasts and are often found in coral reef lagoons.
in the lagoons of coral reefs and in estuaries.
Numerous small dark spots on the back,
which reach below the lateral line and are scattered further back.
It has 5 - 6 dark bands across the back.
Bangka island North Sulawesi
Onigocia spinosa
Midged flathead
Maximum length: 25 cm
Depth: 8 - 250 m
Lives in sandy bays.
Usually buried in the sand during the day,
but can be seen full size on the sandy bottom at night.
Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi
Papilloculiceps longiceps
Entacled flathead, Indian ocean crocodilefish, Madagascar flathead
or Longhead flathead
Maximum length: 1 m
Depth: 1 - 40 m
Usually lying on sand or rubble, often partially buried.
An ambush predator of crabs, shrimps and fish.
Not shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Lembeh - Strait North Sulawesi
Hurghada Egypt