Home · Dactyloscopidae · Milky sand stargazer
Milky sand stargazer (Dactyloscopus lacteus) — Dactyloscopidae

Milky sand stargazer

Dactyloscopus lacteus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Milky sand stargazer (Dactyloscopus lacteus) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–9.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The milky sand stargazer is a small sand stargazer from the eastern Pacific, along Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a pale, milky-white body with upward-directed eyes on the flattened head. As a bottom-dweller it lies almost entirely buried in sandy bottoms of shallow coastal water, with only the eyes showing, and grabs passing prey. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Milky sand stargazer?

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

Where does the Milky sand stargazer live?

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

How big does the Milky sand stargazer get?

The Milky sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Milky sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Milky sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Milky sand stargazer edible?

The Milky sand stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Melkwitte zandkijker verified
English name
Milky sand stargazer verified
Scientific name
Dactyloscopus lacteus
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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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