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Tentacled flathead

Distribution : Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. A few eastern Mediterranean records do not imply presence throughout the basin.

An unmoving shape on the bottom may conceal a crocodilefish. Its camouflage encourages us to slow down and look carefully at the sand and reef contours. Encountering it shows how an animal can blend into its surroundings while remaining in plain sight. Its documented depth range is 1–40 metres.

Habitat of Tentacled flathead Habitat
Coral reef, Sand, Rocky habitat
Depth range of Tentacled flathead Depth
1-40 m
Biological group of Tentacled flathead Group
Ecological role of Tentacled flathead Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The crocodilefish has a broad, flat head with eyes on top. Small fringes surround its eyes; its large side fins spread out close to the bottom. The mottled body and irregular edges around the eyes make its outline difficult to separate from the background.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

This benthic fish, meaning one associated with the bottom, uses sandy substrates and Red Sea reef areas. It may bury itself partly while keeping its eyes above the sand.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

An ambush predator, it captures fish and crustaceans in rapid strikes. Stillness and camouflage contribute to this strategy, without proving that a filmed individual is actively hunting.

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Tentacled flathead

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Other species — Benthic fish

Striped catfish Giant moray Bluespotted ribbontail ray Stonefish

Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

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