Tentacled flathead

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Crocodilefish

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Platycephalidae
Genus: Papilloculiceps
Species: P. longiceps
Binomial name
Papilloculiceps longiceps
Knapp, 1829

The Tentacled flathead (Papilloculiceps longiceps) or Crocodilefish is a member of the order Scorpaeniformes, an order which also includes the scorpionfishes and stonefishes. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean; the Red Sea.

Contents

[edit] Behaviour

They are predatory bottom-dwelling fish, using their camouflage to ambush their prey.

[edit] Description

Crocodilefish are mottled brown or green and grey, coloured ideally to be camouflaged with their habitat. They have eye lappets, which help to break up the outline of the iris and improve camouflage, and can reach a length of 70cm.

Crocodile fish at 20m Dahab, Red Sea

Head detail

Detail of lappets over eyes

True colouration

[edit] Habitat

Crocodilefish dwell in areas where the sea floor is soft or sandy and their camouflage is most effective, usually associated with reefs or rubble.

[edit] Diet

Crocodilefish are carnivorous, and will eat a most fish small enough to fit in their mouth.

[edit] References