Flathead: Eyes and Grin Only

Last week we discovered several flathead fish at our Alleyways dive site where beach diving is possible. Buried in the sand around one small coral head, the eyes and upturned lips with teeth are the only parts visible. Fanning away some sand only makes the fish wiggle a bit deeper. Identifying which of the many flathead species a particular fish is requires measuring the distance between the eyes. Also helpful is to observe the fish sitting exposed on the sand, something only likely at night when it emerges to hunt. Usually solitary, flathead fish group annually to breed. Perhaps that accounts for their sudden appearance at Alleyways. One was still at the same place today.