---
title: Cockatoo Flounder (Samaris cristatus)
scientific_name: Samaris cristatus
common_name: Cockatoo Flounder
taxon: Lefteye flounders
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-11-24T15:35:49.316Z
updated: 2025-11-25T13:58:09.000Z
tags: Cockatoo Flounder, Samaris cristatus, Lefteye flounders, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/lefteye-flounders/cockatoo-flounder
---

# Cockatoo Flounder (*Samaris cristatus*)

**Taxon:** Lefteye flounders (*Bothidae*)  
**Conservation Status:** LC - Least Concern  


Cockatoo Flounder (Samaris cristatus); Tropical; Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 20 - 114 m (Ref. 11790). Max length : 22.3 cm; common length: 16 cm; max. published weight: 54.05 g (Ref. 122106).

Inhabits silty sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 3132, 48637). Feeds on benthic animals (Ref. 9792). Flicks the long dorsal filaments on the front of the head when alarmed, looking just like the sticky threads that are produced by a holothurian when handled (ref. 48637).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 73 - 78; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 49 - 60. Body on ocular side brownish with darker spots and blotches; a series of blotches along dorsal and ventral body margins; elongated anterior dorsal-fin rays white, remainder of dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin brown; pectoral fin dark. Blind side of body whitish. First 12-15 (rarely 10-11) dorsal- fin rays greatly elongated. Pectoral fin on blind side absent or rudimentary. Pelvic fin on eyed side elongated. Caudal fin with 16 unbranched rays and rounded margin.

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, East Africa to New Caledonia, north to Japan and south to Australia.

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/lefteye-flounders/cockatoo-flounder)*
*Updated: November 25, 2025*