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Bigjaw sand stargazer (Myxodagnus macrognathus) — Dactyloscopidae

Bigjaw sand stargazer

Myxodagnus macrognathus

The Bigjaw sand stargazer (Myxodagnus macrognathus) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The bigjaw sand stargazer is a small sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, slender body with high-set eyes and a strongly projecting, upturned lower jaw. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried in clean sand of shallow coastal water, with only the eyes showing, and snaps at small crustaceans passing by. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigjaw sand stargazer?

The Bigjaw sand stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bigjaw sand stargazer live?

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

How big does the Bigjaw sand stargazer get?

The Bigjaw sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Bigjaw sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigjaw sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigjaw sand stargazer edible?

The Bigjaw sand stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootbek-zandsterrenkijker sourced
English name
Bigjaw sand stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Myxodagnus macrognathus
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.6 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
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 sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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