Crocodile flathead
Cociella crocodila
- Scientific name
- Cociella crocodila
- Group
- Reef fish
- Rarity
- Rare
- Where to see it
- Indo-Pacific & Red Sea
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Least concern
Did you know?
The crocodile flathead gets its name from its flattened head and raised eyes, which let it stay almost entirely buried in the sand while watching for prey. It stays motionless for long stretches before lunging at a passing fish or crustacean.
What defines this group — Reef fish
The bony fish that live against coral and rock: the living backdrop of almost every dive.
- A bony skeleton, scales, and a rigid gill cover closing over the gills.
- A swim bladder acts as a float: they hold their depth without swimming.
- Many change colour, pattern — sometimes even sex — over the course of their life.
Other species in this group
- Ocellaris clownfish
- Blue tang
- Red lionfish
- Spot-fin porcupinefish
- Mediterranean moray
- Clark's anemonefish