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Searcher stargazer (Gillellus searcheri) — Dactyloscopidae

Searcher stargazer

Gillellus searcheri
LC · Least Concern

The Searcher stargazer (Gillellus searcheri) is a saltwater fish of the family Dactyloscopidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Searcher 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 Searcher stargazer?

The Searcher stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. High-set eyes and an upturned mouth; buries itself in the sand as an ambush predator, without venom.

Where does the Searcher stargazer live?

The Searcher stargazer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Searcher stargazer get?

The Searcher stargazer grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Searcher stargazer dangerous to humans?

No, the Searcher stargazer is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Searcher stargazer edible?

The Searcher stargazer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Searcher stargazer sourced
Scientific name
Gillellus searcheri
Family
Dactyloscopidae
Other names
Searcher stargazer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
15 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
High-set eyes and an upturned mouth; buries itself in the sand as an ambush predator, without venom. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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