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Uranoscopus bicinctus Temminck & Schlegel, 1843 Marbled stargazer |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Uranoscopidae (Stargazers) | |||
| Max. size: | 29.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 453.0 g | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 100 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: India east to Indochina, then north to Japan and China to the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 13-13. Indonesian form has pale body with dark blotches (Ref. 48636). Body dark brown with 3 distinct broad black bands. Respiratory valve inside lower jaw with a thick orange tentacle (Ref 42788). | |||
| Biology: | Found above 100 m on sandy gravel bottom (Ref. 11230). Lives on muddy substrates and rarely observed (Ref. 48636). Hides in sandy bottoms and sucks up animals with sand and debris into the mouth. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||