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Astroscopus ygraecum (Cuvier, 1829) Southern stargazer |
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photo by
Christie, B.L. |
| Family: | Uranoscopidae (Stargazers) | |||
| Max. size: | 44 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 100 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan, Mexico; northern coast of South America (Ref. 5217). Absent in the West Indies. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-13 | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits silty, sandy, or rubble bottoms (Ref. 9710). Feeds on fishes (Ref. 13628). Possesses electric organs located in a specialized pouch behind the eyes. Can discharge up to 50 volts (Ref. 10576).The electric organ discharge (EOD) rate depends on the temperature: about 500 Hz at 35°C and 50 Hz at 15°C (corresponding to the annual temperature range of the habitat of this species) (Ref. 10011). Cleithral spine with venom gland (Ref. 57406). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||