WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Marbled Stargazer

Uranoscopus bicinctus

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

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh Resort, Indonesia · June 20061 / 4
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.

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 possesse 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

COLOURS
Head & Mouth
mouthpop eyes

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 4
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!

04

Adult photos 4

05

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 bicinctus Temminck & Schlegel, 1843

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Stargazers (Uranoscopidae)