WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Dollfus' Stargazer

Uranoscopus guttatus

Also known as: Popeye Fish, Pop-eyed Fish, Tube-nosed Stargazer

Adult
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01

Overview

Found singly, buried in gravel, mud, and sandy areas, with just the eyes and mouth showing, waiting for their prey to pass by! Over silty, sandy lagoons, and coastal waters.
They feed on benthic fish and invertebrates by sucking them whole, into their mouths.
Indian Ocean - Pondicherry India, Red Sea

The name stargazer comes from the fact the eyes are positioned on top of their heads! They are usually found buried in the sand with just their heads showing waiting to ambush their unsuspecting prey as they swim passed!
Stargazer possess electric organs located in a specialized pouch behind the eyes and can discharge up to 50 volts, depending on the temperature of the water at the time!

02

How to identify

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indian Ocean
LIVES IN

Found singly, buried in gravel, mud, and sandy areas, with just the eyes and mouth showing, waiting for their prey to pass by!

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Adult photos 0

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

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    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderPerciformes
    5. familyUranoscopidae
    6. genusUranoscopus
    7. speciesUranoscopus guttatus Cuvier, 1829

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Stargazers (Uranoscopidae)