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Brazilian sand stargazer (Platygillellus brasiliensis) — Dactyloscopidae

Brazilian sand stargazer

Platygillellus brasiliensis

The Brazilian sand stargazer (Platygillellus brasiliensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–2.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Brazilian sand stargazer is a sand stargazer (Dactyloscopidae) from shallow sandy and surf water of the western Atlantic around Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with an upturned mouth and high-set eyes, so it can lie almost fully buried and lurk. As an ambush predator it waits under the sand and snaps at passing small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brazilian sand stargazer?

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

Where does the Brazilian sand stargazer live?

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

How big does the Brazilian sand stargazer get?

The Brazilian sand stargazer grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Brazilian sand stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Brazilian sand stargazer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Braziliaanse zandsterrenkijker sourced
English name
Brazilian sand stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Platygillellus brasiliensis
Family
Dactyloscopidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.1 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 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 Platygillellus

More from the family Dactyloscopidae

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