Crocodilefish

The crocodilefish is one of Komodo's most impressive ambush predators, a large, flattened fish that lies on sandy and rubble substrates in near-perfect camouflage, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass within striking range. Reaching up to 70 centimetres in length, it gets its name from its flattened head and elongated snout that bear a striking resemblance to a crocodile when viewed from above. Its most remarkable feature is its eyes — the iris is covered with elaborate fringed dermal flaps called lappets that break up the circular outline of the eye, the one feature that might otherwise betray its position. In Komodo, crocodilefish are commonly found at sandy and rubble dive sites, often near reef edges and in areas with mixed substrate. They are so confident in their camouflage that they rarely flee from approaching divers, making them excellent photographic subjects for those who can spot them. Their strike is rapid and effective — they lunge upward from their resting position to engulf passing fish in their large, expandable mouth.