The Crcodilefish can reach 20 inches/51 centimetres. It has 10 dorsal spines for protection, 11 soft rays and 11 soft anal rays with a large pelvic fin.

The crocodilefish (Cymbacephalus beauforti) is a strange looking fish that many people have not heard of with the exception those that live throughout its distribution. And true to the Crocodile Fish’s name, it does look very familiar to that of a crocodile.

While the Crocodile Fish does look like a crocodile, it is no way related to a crocodile or shark but is in fact related to various stone fish found in the western pacific and indian ocean. It has a lifespan of between 4.5 to 14 years of age.

Crocodile Fish Distribution

The Crocodile fish is limited to the Indian ocean and Pacific ocean in a narrow distribution from the Philippines south through Indonesia and the Great Barrier reef off the coast of Australia between the latitudes of 19&degN to 23&degS. This includes Bornea, Moluccas, Papua New Guinea, New Calidonia, Palau, Yap Island and many more islands throughout the Australasia archipelago.

Their distribution is under threat fro over fishing and increased water temperatures in their habitat. While the Crocodile Fish is not currently under thread, continued over fishing will result in further declines of their population. The Crocodilefish is also sensitive in changes to water Ph and water mineralization. Abrupt changes in mineralization and Ph can lead to a rapid decline in population in that area.

The Crocodilefish can be found on the continental shelf and islands in its distribution down to as deep as 26 feet (8 meters) and as shallow as four feet on occasion.

Food Preferences

The Crocodilefish is a meat eater: it does not eat plants getting all its nutrition from animal life. Its diet includes turtles, surgeonfish, sturgeon poacher, Barrier reef anemonefish, Anemonefish, Spotted-gill cardinalfish, Apogon properupta, Blue-spotted jack and shrimp, small squid and other crustaceans.

Crocodilefish Features and Size

The Crcodilefish can reach 20 inches/51 centimetres. It has 10 dorsal spines for protection, 11 soft rays and 11 soft anal rays with a large pelvic fin.

The Crocodilefish is covered with irregular blotches or patches that blend into the surrounding sandy bottom. It has a stripe that runs the full length of its body from its head to its tail. It has a large mouth that makes up a third of it head. It is designed for sucking in small fish in a single gulp.