ANIMAL SPECIES:Eastern Stargazer, Kathetostoma laeve (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
The Eastern Stargazer can be recognised by its large, squarish head, tapering scaleless body and upward pointing mouth and eyes. It occurs in temperate marine waters in bays, estuaries and near shore areas, often on sandy substrates.
Identification
The Eastern Stargazer can be recognised by its large, squarish head, tapering scaleless body and upward pointing mouth and eyes. It has a large backward-directed spine just behind the operculum, and large pectoral fins.
The species is usually grey to brown dorsally and white below. The pectoral and caudal fins have white margins and the body often has two dark bands across the back.
Size range
It grows to 75 cm in length.Distribution
The Eastern Stargazer occurs in temperate marine waters from central New South Wales to south-western Western Australia, including Tasmania. Fish occurring in south-western Western Australia may be a distinct species.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Eastern Stargazer specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species lives mostly in bays, estuaries and near shore areas, often on sandy substrates.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
Night divers have been bitten by this fish.
Classification
- Species:
- laeve
- Genus:
- Kathetostoma
- Family:
- Uranoscopidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
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An Eastern Stargazer on a silty substrate View full size
Ákos Lumnitzer
© Ákos Lumnitzer
An Eastern Stargazer burying into a silty substrate View full size
Ákos Lumnitzer
© Ákos Lumnitzer
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