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Drab nakednape stargazer (Uranoscopus oligolepis) — Uranoscopidae

Drab nakednape stargazer

Uranoscopus oligolepis
Family: Uranoscopidae
LC · Least Concern

The Drab nakednape stargazer (Uranoscopus oligolepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Uranoscopidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The drab nakednape stargazer is a stargazer from the western Pacific, off Taiwan, Malaysia and New Caledonia. The species grows to about 17 cm and has the upward-directed eyes and mouth on top of the head characteristic of stargazers. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried in sand or mud between 2 and 35 metres depth and waits there until prey comes within reach. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Drab nakednape stargazer?

The Drab nakednape stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Eyes and mouth on top of the head; buried ambush predator

Where does the Drab nakednape stargazer live?

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

How big does the Drab nakednape stargazer get?

The Drab nakednape stargazer grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Drab nakednape stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Drab nakednape stargazer is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Drab nakednape stargazer edible?

The Drab nakednape stargazer is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Drab nakednape stargazer verified
Scientific name
Uranoscopus oligolepis
Family
Uranoscopidae
Other names
Naked-nape stargazer; Stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Burrowing ambush bottom fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Eyes and mouth on top of the head; buried ambush predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Uranoscopus

More from the family Uranoscopidae

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