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Bigeye stargazer (Dactyloscopus crossotus) — Dactyloscopidae

Bigeye stargazer

Dactyloscopus crossotus
LC · Least Concern

The Bigeye stargazer (Dactyloscopus crossotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bigeye stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has eyes set high on the head, an upward-pointing mouth and fringed lips. It lives on surf beaches, usually in less than three metres of water, where it buries itself in the loose sand with only the eyes showing. As an ambush hunter it snaps passing small invertebrates. Unlike the true stargazers it has no venom or electric organ.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye stargazer?

The Bigeye stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bigeye stargazer live?

The Bigeye stargazer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bigeye stargazer get?

The Bigeye stargazer grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bigeye stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye stargazer edible?

The Bigeye stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Franje-zandkijker sourced
English name
Bigeye stargazer verified
Scientific name
Dactyloscopus crossotus
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Bigeye Stargazer; Bigeye stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dactyloscopus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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