Home · Dactyloscopidae · Panamic stargazer
Panamic stargazer (Dactylagnus parvus) — Dactyloscopidae

Panamic stargazer

Dactylagnus parvus
LC · Least Concern

The Panamic stargazer (Dactylagnus parvus) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dwarf sand stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from the eastern Pacific. 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 of shallow coastal waters, where it largely buries itself with only the eyes showing. As an ambush hunter it snaps passing small invertebrates. Unlike the true stargazers it has no venom or electric organ.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Panamic stargazer?

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

Where does the Panamic stargazer live?

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

How big does the Panamic stargazer get?

The Panamic stargazer grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Panamic stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Panamic stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Panamic stargazer edible?

The Panamic stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-zandkijker sourced
English name
Panamic stargazer verified
Scientific name
Dactylagnus parvus
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
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 Dactylagnus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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