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Delicate sand stargazer (Psammphiletria delicata) — Amphiliidae

Delicate sand stargazer

Psammphiletria delicata
Family: Amphiliidae

The Delicate sand stargazer (Psammphiletria delicata) is a freshwater fish of the family Amphiliidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The delicate sand stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from shallow sandy water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, pale 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 Delicate sand stargazer?

The Delicate sand stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Delicate sand stargazer live?

The Delicate sand stargazer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Delicate sand stargazer get?

The Delicate sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Delicate sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Delicate sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tere zandsterrenkijker sourced
English name
Delicate sand stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Psammphiletria delicata
Family
Amphiliidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

More from the family Amphiliidae

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