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Highfin sand stargazer (Platygillellus altivelis) — Dactyloscopidae

Highfin sand stargazer

Platygillellus altivelis

The Highfin sand stargazer (Platygillellus altivelis) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–37.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Highfin sand stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from shallow sandy and surf water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with an upturned mouth and high-set eyes, so it can lie almost fully buried and lurk. As an ambush predator it waits under the sand and snaps at passing small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highfin sand stargazer?

The Highfin sand stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Highfin sand stargazer live?

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

How big does the Highfin sand stargazer get?

The Highfin sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Highfin sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Highfin sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoogvin-zandsterrenkijker sourced
English name
Highfin sand stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Platygillellus altivelis
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Sailfin stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Platygillellus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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