| Crocodilefish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Platycephalidae |
| Genus: | Cymbacephalus |
| Species: | C. beauforti |
| Binomial name | |
| Cymbacephalus beauforti Knapp, 1973 |
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The Crocodilefish (Cymbacephalus beauforti), also known as De Beaufort's flathead or crocodile flathead, is a member of the order Scorpaeniformes, which also includes the scorpionfishes and stonefishes. It is found in the western Pacific; Indonesia, Philippines, Red Sea and the Great Barrier Reef.
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They are predatory bottom-dwelling fish, using their camouflage to ambush their prey.
Crocodilefish are mottled brown or green and grey, coloured ideally to be camouflaged with their habitat. Juveniles begin black. They have eye lappets, which help to break up the outline of the iris and improve camouflage, and can reach a length of 50 centimeters (20 in).
Crocodilefish dwell in areas where the sea floor is soft or sandy and their camouflage is most effective, usually associated with reefs or mangroves.
Crocodilefish are carnivorous, and will eat most fish small enough to fit into their mouth.