Underwater Stargazers

For today’s #WildlifeWednesday, we bring you this comical-looking fish who looks like it is gazing woefully at the stars and the planet parade this December. But it is, in fact, waiting patiently to ambush its meal. 

Stargazer species (from Family Uranoscopidae) have adapted to spending most of their lives buried in the sand. They use their pectoral fins to dig sandy bottoms, with their upturned faces the only parts exposed. This made them look like they were gazing at the skies, but their eyes and mouths were strategically located at the top of their heads to easily cast their lures and capture prey. 

While stargazer fishes lack charm and glamor like others, they’ve invested more in becoming successful ambush predators. Many species have worm-shaped lures to attract a wide range of menu like squid, crabs, shrimps, worms, and fishes, which it gulps down whole! And a while later it just coughs out scales and other indigestible parts of its prey. Some stargazer species are even capable of delivering electric currents and deadly venom. Divers usually keep a safe distance when they get a rare encounter with members of this family.

It’s nearly Christmas. Let’s all look up and be thankful, and be still and calm until we can grab the blessings that we either worked hard for or arrive our way. 

#MuseumFromHome 

#StargazerFish

Text by NMP Zoology Division 

Photo by Darlene Aggabao Mcguire (Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte)

©National Museum of the Philippines (2021)