Cociella crocodilus (Cuvier, 1829) Crocodile flathead |
photo by
Randall, J.E. |
Family: | Platycephalidae (Flatheads) | |||
Max. size: | 50 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
Environment: | reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 300 m | |||
Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia (Ref. 3476). | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-11. Brownish with small dark spots on upper body; usually with 4-5 dark brown bands crosses back; spiny dorsal with broad black band near edge and small black spots below, other fins darkly spotted (Ref. 4315). | |||
Biology: | Occur from near shore to 100 m depth (Ref. 4315, 11230), on sand or mud bottoms. Larvae and juveniles rarely enter mangrove areas, most especially the lower reaches (Ref. 43081). | |||
IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
Country info: |
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