Home · Dactyloscopidae · Sindoscopus australis
Sindoscopus australis — Dactyloscopidae

Sindoscopus australis

Sindoscopus australis
LC · Least Concern

The Sindoscopus australis is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The southern sand stargazer is a small bottom fish of the sand stargazer family (Dactyloscopidae) from the eastern Pacific, along the coast of Chile. The species reaches only a few centimetres and has an elongate body with upward-directed eyes. It is a sand dweller of shallow coastal waters that largely buries itself in the sand with only the eyes and the upturned mouth visible, ready to seize passing prey. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Owing to its hidden habits the species is little noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sindoscopus australis?

The Sindoscopus australis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Sindoscopus australis live?

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

How big does the Sindoscopus australis get?

The Sindoscopus australis grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Sindoscopus australis dangerous to humans?

No, the Sindoscopus australis is harmless to humans.

Is the Sindoscopus australis edible?

The Sindoscopus australis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke zandkijker sourced
English name
Sindoscopus australis sourced
Scientific name
Sindoscopus australis
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
6.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No 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

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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