Samaris cristatus, commonly known as Cockatoo Flounder is a species of Flounder from the family of Samaridae.
Similar species: Carangiformes
By Albert Kang
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Uploaded Jun 11, 2017. Captured May 10, 2013 19:24 in Mabini Circumferential Rd, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines.
comments (10)
They are nocturnal animal and ambush predator, by burying themselves into the sand to wait for their prey to swim pass/above them.
They are not as scary as Star Gazer because their mouth are not as large and also you don't see the sharp teeth and 'ugliness' of the Star Gazer. Flounders does not has the ability to 'lure' their prey, whereas Stargazers uses their 'tongue' to attracts small fishes to them.
Some Stargazer species have electrical cells, developed from the optic nerve, capable of inflicting strong shocks, and all species have venomous spines. Flounders don't have electrical cells and venomous spines. Posted 8 years ago
The most amazing and implausible things happen in nature. One of the most unusual vertebrates on the planet is the flatfish. They really are flat...and, asymmetrical! Flatfish don't start out this way though. They begin their lives as symmetrical fish, living in open water, and masquerading as normal fish. When they become juveniles, they undergo a radical metamorphosis. As they develop, they don't experience mood swings and awkward pubescent moments like a human teenager would. Rather, they transform into an anatomical catastrophe resembling a Picasso painting. The bones in their skulls bend and shift as one eye migrates to the opposite side of the head. So, they end up with both eyes on one side of their head.
Once their development is complete, they endure yet another change. They sink to the ocean floor, lie down with their eyes facing up, and camouflage themselves. The flounder's downward-facing side loses its pigment, while the side that faces up changes color to blend into the environment. They cover themselves in sand with only their bulging, stalked eyes protruding. They feed on invertebrates and small fish, which they catch by remaining motionless until the unsuspecting prey ventures close enough to capture. {Cockatoo Flounder (Samaris cristatus) spotted in the Philippines by JungleDragon moderator, Albert Kang} #JungleDragon Posted 6 years ago
We’re continuing our series highlighting some of the most fantastic body parts belonging to wildlife. Today, we are focusing on eyes! There are so many creatures with remarkable eyes that it was quite a struggle to choose which ones to feature today! #JungleDragon
As the Cockatoo Flounder (Samaris cristatus) develops, it transforms into an anatomical catastrophe resembling a Picasso painting. The bones in its skull bend and shift as one eye migrates to the opposite side of the head. So, they end up with both eyes on one side of their head!! Then, they sink to the ocean floor, lie down with their eyes facing up, and camouflage themselves with only their bulging, stalked eyes protruding. {Spotted in the Philippines by Albert Kang} #CockatooFlounder #Samariscristatus
https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife Posted 4 years ago