Reef fish
Beaufort's crocodilefish
Cymbacephalus beauforti
IUCN status: Least concern
A flattened, bottom-lying ambush predator with a broad head, mottled camouflage and an intricately lacy iris flap over each eye. Assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern. It sits still and lets divers approach closely, which makes it a staple subject for macro and wide-macro photographers on Mabul's sand sites.
- Max size
- About 50 cm
- Habitat
- Sand, rubble and reef flats down to roughly 30m across the western Pacific and Indo-Malay archipelago; lies motionless on the bottom, camouflaged, ambushing passing fish.
Best places to dive with Beaufort's crocodilefish
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Mabul & Kapalai
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Documented at Mabul's sand and rubble sites, including Crocodile Avenue and Mandarin Valley, year-round. Sitting still on the bottom, so easy to swim past and easy to photograph once found.
Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Dive Mabul — Scuba Junkie
- Cymbacephalus beauforti — IUCN Red List assessment, Motomura & Matsuura 2016 (Least Concern) — IUCN Red List