About Cymbacephalus beauforti (Knapp, 1973)
Size
De Beaufort's flathead, Cymbacephalus beauforti, is a medium-sized fish that can reach a maximum length of 50 cm (19.7 in), with a commonly observed average size of 35 cm (13.8 in).
Body and Head Shape
It has an elongated body, and its characteristic head has a flat, duck bill-like shape.
Eye Lappets
Lappets are located at the back of its large rounded eyes; these lappets help break up the outline of the black iris and improve the fish's camouflage.
Juvenile Coloration
Juvenile De Beaufort's flathead are primarily black, with a small number of white spots and a distinct white line behind the head.
Adult Coloration
Adult body coloration can vary in intensity to match the surrounding environment. Their bodies are covered in a mosaic-like pattern of spots ranging from beige to brown, or even greenish to grey, with interlacing blue lines between spots that provide ideal camouflage against their natural habitat.
Distribution Range
This species has a wide distribution, ranging from the Mentawai Islands in the far eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatra, and includes the Philippines, Borneo, the Maluku Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Palau, and the area from Yap Island to Ishigaki Island.
Habitat
De Beaufort's flathead lives in shallow water over sand or coral rubble substrates, and is found near seagrasses or mangroves.
Depth Range
It is most typically found at depths of 2 to 3 meters (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in), though it has been recorded at depths as great as 12 meters (39 ft).
