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Cymbacephalus beauforti
Also known as Crocodilefish, De Beaufort's Flathead and Beaufort's Crocodilefish. The Crocodile Flathead is mainly nocturnal, feeding on fish, swimming invertebrates and squid. They pale and darken to blend in with surroundings, and they also go through a black phase. Their eyes are covered by a tasseled curtain which helps to disguise them from predators. The tassels expand and contract with intensity of light. Flatheads are closely related to Scorpionfish.
Found singly on coarse sand and rubble areas of fringing coral reefs, in seagrass beds and near mangroves. They are widespread in the Asia-Pacific region.
This flathead was at a depth of less than 6m when I photographed it. Too bad I couldn't quite get a good angle to be able to take a full-body shot.
Spotted on Oct 27, 2011
Submitted on Dec 2, 2011
4 Comments
Anytime, Argy! Btw, I haven't seen any other kind of flathead hereabouts...
Sure doesn't look anything like our Flatheads.
Didn't know about the Scorpionfish link - it makes sense I suppose.
Thanks again Blogie.
Yes, it's always amazing what you can discover underwater!
woww..never know before we have kind of creature too? thank for sharing. :)