Crocodilefish
Papilloculiceps longiceps
The tentacled flathead (Papilloculiceps longiceps), also called the Indian Ocean crocodilefish, Madagascar flathead or longhead flathead, is a marine ray-finned fish in the flathead family Platycephalidae. It occurs in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, and has spread into the Mediterranean as a Lessepsian migrant through the Suez Canal. It is the only species in its genus, Papilloculiceps.
Family
Platycephalidae
Avg Size
70-100 cm
Habitat
The tentacled flathead ranges across the western Indian Ocean, from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Madagascar up to the northern Red Sea. It has also entered the Mediterranean, where it was first reported off Israel in 1986 after probably migrating through the Suez Canal. It lives near coral reefs over sand or rubble bottoms at depths between 1 and 15 m (about 3 to 49 ft).
Behaviour
The tentacled flathead is a well-camouflaged ambush predator that preys on fish and crustaceans.
Where & When to See It
Sha'ab Sharm
Small Giftun
Ras Disha
Shaab Eissa
Ras Ghamila
Jackson Reef
Shaab Maksur
Shaab Claudia
Ras Bob
Thomas Reef
Ras Nasrani
Gordon Reef
Kormoran
Shaab Sataya
White Knight
Woodhouse Reef
Laguna Reef
Ras Burg
Erg Sabina
Erg Somaya
Fiddle Garden
Fury Shoals
Habili Ali
Jackfish Alley
Kimon M
North Gabr El Bint
Panorama Reef
Paradise
Pinky Wall
Ras Katy
Ras Um Sid
Ras Zaatar
Rosalie Moller
Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House)
Shaab Abu Nugar
Shaab El Erg
Shaab Eshta
Shaab Petra
Shaab Sabina
Shabrur Um Gamar
Shark & Yolanda Reef
Shark Observatory
Siyul Kebira
Sodfa
Soma Bay Garden
Temple
The Alternatives
The Islands
Tower
Turft El Shahed
Turtle Reef
Umm Gamar North
Abu Hashish
Abu Ramada South
Umm Gamar South
Abu Dabbab
Abu Ghalawa
Abu Kifan
Abu Nuhas
Abu Ramada North
Amphoras
Banana Reef
Belina Wreck
Big Giftun
Careless Reef
Carnatic
Chrisoula K
Dunraven (Beacon Rock)
El Erug
El Fanous West
Elphinstone
Erg Abu Ramada
Near Garden
Ras Ghozlani
Salem Express
Shark's Bay
Small Crack
Turtle Bay
Eel Garden
El Fanadir
El Mina Wreck
Far Garden
Giannis D
Gota Abu Ramada
Hamda
Lighthouse
Middle Garden
Moray Garden - Golden Blocks
Bluff Point
Shag Rock (Kingston)
Thistlegorm
The Barge at Bluff Point
The Ulysses
Three Pools