Crocodile fishes, Cymbacephalus beauforti (Knapp, 1973), aka crocodilefishes, De Beaufort’s flatheads, Beaufort’s crocodilefishes, etc. are a mottled brownish gray species of flatfish with fluorescent green markings criss-crossing its body. They often camouflage themselves on sheltered or semi-exposed reefs. They may reach 50 centimeters in length and have 9 or 10 dorsal spines, 11 dorsal soft rays, no anal spines, 11 anal soft rays, and large pelvic fins. Juveniles are entirely black, though as they age they gradually take on the blotched pattern of the adult. The rear edge of the maxilla ends well in front of eye, and near the eye there is a prominent pit, a smooth infraorbital ridge, and a smooth suborbital ridge bearing 2 spines. The interopercular flap is usually broader than long, with several subdivisions. The eyes of the crocodilefish have frilly iris lappets (see third photo), which help break up the black pupil of the fish, and thus improve its camouflage.
World Range & Habitat
GBIF network right arrow OBIS distribution map right arrow AquaMaps
Use ctrl + scroll to zoom the map
The crocodile fish, Cymbacephalus beauforti, is non-migratory and is generally associated with marine reefs from 19°N to 23°S, at depths of 1 to 8 m. In the western Pacific, they may be seen off the Philippines, Borneo, the Moluccas, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Palau, and Yap Island to Ishigaki Island. Its range extends as far as the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. Crocodile fishes live on sandy or rubble substrates near mangroves, seagrass or coral reefs, in very shallow water down to at least 30 m. The rough and mottled nature of the substrate mimics the pattern on this fish, allowing for very effective camouflage.
PIC BY Sanjeev Nijhawan / Caters News The perfectly-timed optical illusion photo shows the camel standing still while his head was turned the other way. Sanjeev said: “I saw a herd of camels crossing the road. It was a sight I couldn’t resist clicking. PIC BY Sanjeev Nijhawan / Caters News “I stopped and went towards the herd and suddenly at a distance I saw this camel with his head turned around which looked like a headless camel. “I had around five seconds to get the photo before he pulled his head up again.”
In South Korea no such fish cook seen.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a bit flat fish, monsterous.
For fish wise Japan has more range, and other foods likely so.