| Stargazer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common stargazer,Kathetostoma laeve | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Suborder: | Uranoscopoidei |
| Family: | Uranoscopidae Jordan &Evermann, 1898 |
| Genera | |
See text | |
Thestargazers are afamily,Uranoscopidae, ofperciformray-finned fish that have eyes on top of their heads (hence the name). The family includes about 51 species (one extinct) in eightgenera, allmarine and found worldwide in shallow and deep saltwaters.[1]
In addition to the top-mounted eyes, a stargazer also has a large, upward-facing mouth in a large head. Their usual habit is to bury themselves in sand, and leap upwards to ambush prey (benthic fish andinvertebrates) that pass overhead. Some species have a worm-shaped lure growing out of the floors of their mouths, which they can wiggle to attract prey's attention. Both thedorsal andanal fins are relatively long; some lack dorsal spines. Lengths range from 18 up to 90 cm, for thegiant stargazerKathetostoma giganteum.
Stargazers arevenomous; they have two large venomous spines situated behind theiropercles and above theirpectoral fins. The species within the generaAstroscopus andUranoscopus can also causeelectric shocks.Astroscopus species have a singleelectric organ consisting of modified eye muscles, whileUranoscopus species have theirs derived from sonic muscles.[2] These two genera within stargazers represent one of eight independent evolutions ofbioelectrogenesis.[2] They are unique amongelectric fish in not possessing electroreceptors, meaning that they do not use an electric sense to locate prey.[2]
Stargazers are a delicacy in some cultures (the venom is not poisonous when eaten), and they can be found for sale in somefish markets with the electric organ removed. Stargazers areambush predators which camouflage themselves; some can deliver both venom and electric shocks. IchthyologistWilliam Leo Smith called them "the meanest things in creation".[4]
Uranscopidae contains the following genera:[5]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Stargazer lunges from sand –YouTube | |
| Little Red Cardinalfish gets eaten by hidden Stargazer! –YouTube |
