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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
Range
Eastern Pacific, along the coast of Chile.
Edibility
Not eaten

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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. Buries itself in the sand with only its upward-directed eyes and mouth visible.

Where does the Sindoscopus australis live?

The Sindoscopus australis lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, along the coast of Chile.

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. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Sindoscopus australis edible?

The Sindoscopus australis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sindoscopus australis sourced
Scientific name
Sindoscopus australis
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
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
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, along the coast of Chile. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Buries itself in the sand with only its upward-directed eyes and mouth visible. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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