| Family: |
Dactyloscopidae (Sand stargazers) |
| Max. size: |
2.93 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and Antigua. Also from Cuba (Ref. 26340). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-23; Anal spines: 2-2. Common amongst Dactyloscopidae: Small, elongate fishes. Head usually broad and deep, body tapering and compressed behind. Eyes on top of head, often protrusible; mouth moderate to large, oblique to vertical; jaw teeth minute, in 2 or more series; no teeth on roof of mouth (vomer and palatines). Opercular opening large, gill membrane free from isthmus; opercles membranous, large, usually overlapping on underside of head, typically fringed above with 2 to 24 fleshy fimbriae. Dorsal fin continuous, with an isolated or semi-isolated anterior finlet, or with 1 to 5 separate anterior rays; dorsal-fin spines 7 to 23; anal-fin spines 2; dorsal and anal fins free or united to caudal fin by fragile membranes; pectoral fins broad-based, usually enlarged in mature males; caudal-fin rays simple or branched; pelvic fins under throat (insertion anterior to pectoral-fin base), with 1 spine and 3 thickened segmented rays; all other rays simple. Head and venter naked, body elsewhere with large cycloid scales (smooth to touch); lateral line high anteriorly, deflecting ventrally behind pectoral fin to continue along middle of side to caudal-fin base where terminal lateral-line scale bears ventrally directed canal. Body coloration, variably pale to strongly pigmented with white, brown, or reddish; some forms with characteristic saddle-like bars crossing back; others plain, mottled, or with indications of lateral stripes. Species distinguished by: dorsal-fin origin on nape; with an isolated or semi-isolated anterior finlet. First preopercular canal not branched, with a single distal pore. Upper lip without fimbriae. Segmented caudal-fin rays usually 11. Arched lateral-line scales 14 to 17 (Ref. 52855). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits sand, rock, and marl bottoms. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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