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Arrow stargazer (Gillellus greyae) — Dactyloscopidae

Arrow stargazer

Gillellus greyae
LC · Least Concern

The Arrow stargazer (Gillellus greyae) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Grey's stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. 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 sand patches around coral reefs, seagrass beds, boulders and pilings, where it largely buries itself with only the eyes showing. As an ambush hunter it snaps small invertebrates. Unlike the true stargazers it has no venom or electric organ.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arrow stargazer?

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

Where does the Arrow stargazer live?

The Arrow stargazer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Arrow stargazer get?

The Arrow stargazer grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Arrow stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Arrow stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Arrow stargazer edible?

The Arrow stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Greys zandkijker sourced
English name
Arrow stargazer verified
Scientific name
Gillellus greyae
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Arrow Stargazer; Arrow stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock 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

Same genus Gillellus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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