Flathead

ID points

• Head extremely flat and broad, with the eyes on top
• Body tapers towards the rear like an ox tail
• Half buried in sand, with only the eyes and back line showing

Basics

Family

Platycephalidae

Length

25–70 cm

Depth

1-100 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Sand and mud bottoms of the Indo-Pacific

Diet

Small fish and shrimp

Easily confused with

Brittle StarFive slender arms clearly set off from the central discLizardfishFlat lizard-like head with a very wide mouthSea CucumberSoft cylindrical body, creeping slowly over the sand

Fun fact

The body is flattened to an extreme and the head is broader and flatter still. Lying on the sand it blends perfectly into the seabed, making it the hardest ambush hunter of all to spot.