Home · Dactyloscopidae · Warteye stargazer
Warteye stargazer (Gillellus uranidea) — Dactyloscopidae

Warteye stargazer

Gillellus uranidea
LC · Least Concern

The Warteye stargazer (Gillellus uranidea) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The warteye stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has eyes set high on the head and an upward-pointing mouth, an adaptation to lie in wait while buried. It lives on sandy bottoms around rocks and small reefs, where it largely buries itself with only the eyes showing. As an ambush hunter it snaps passing small invertebrates and fish larvae. Unlike the true stargazers it has no venom or electric organ.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Warteye stargazer?

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

Where does the Warteye stargazer live?

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

How big does the Warteye stargazer get?

The Warteye stargazer grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Warteye stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Warteye stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Warteye stargazer edible?

The Warteye stargazer is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wrattenoog-zandkijker sourced
English name
Warteye stargazer verified
Scientific name
Gillellus uranidea
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Warteye Stargazer; Warteye stargazer verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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 Gillellus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →