6 photos - 2 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.

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.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Papilloculiceps longiceps

Entacled flathead, Indian ocean crocodilefish, Madagascar flathead

or Longhead flathead