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Sand stargazer (Gillellus arenicola) — Dactyloscopidae

Sand stargazer

Gillellus arenicola

The Sand stargazer (Gillellus arenicola) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–137.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sand stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from shallow, clear sandy water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, sandy body with eyes set high on the head and an upward-slanted mouth. As a bottom-dweller it buries almost entirely in loose sand, with only the eyes showing, and snaps from that ambush at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sand stargazer?

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

Where does the Sand stargazer live?

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

How big does the Sand stargazer get?

The Sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zand-zandkijker sourced
English name
Sand stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Gillellus arenicola
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Sandy stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 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)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
137.0 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 Gillellus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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