STARGAZER

Family Uraniscopidae

STARGAZER

Uranoscopus scaber

Very difficult to detect, this large, rotund fish grows to around 35cm (1ft 2in) and is often found in shallow water where it lies buried in the sand. The top of the body is fairly flat and has a low dorsal fin far down the back, reaching the tail, which it folds flat when hiding. It has large, up-turned eyes and an even larger up-turned mouth with large, overlapping teeth. Ecology: It has a fleshy appendage attached to its lower lip, which it waves about to attract prey. A fairly timid fish, it will scuttle off in short bursts of speed if annoyed.