Among the outlandish inhabitants of the Mediterranean and Black Seas there is an amazing fish - the stargazer. It owes its name to its appearance. Her eyes are directed upwards, as if a fish is looking at the sky and counting the stars on it. This representative of the sea element also has other names: sea dragon, sea cow. Stargazer fish belongs to the class of ray-finned perciformes. Prefers muddy and sandy shores, burrows there, leaving only convex eyes on the surface.
Description of predatory fish
The length of the stargazer's body reaches 30 cm and has the shape of a spindle. The upper part of the fish is painted brown, which allows it to go unnoticed during the hunt. The stargazer is a predator, therefore it prefers to eat small fish, mollusks. Also, the fish will not refuse worms, which, through negligence, approached the place of its hunting. Small scales cover the body, its shade merges with the sand. All this makes the predator invisible and contributes to a successful hunt.
If anyone had to see this representative of the marine fauna, then we assure you, he remembered the acquaintance for a long time. After all, the stargazer fish has a very awesome look:
- Closer, bulging eyes looking up.
- Open mouth with a row of small sharp teeth.
- Protruding lower jaw.
- Black dorsal fin with four spines.
- The presence of long poisonous spines on the gills.
- There are poisonous needles above each pectoral fin.
The stargazer fish, the photo of which can be seen below, is capable of harming a person who accidentally steps on it with poisonous spikes. Therefore, you need to be careful while relaxing at sea.
Lifestyle and habitat
The prey does not even suspect that the stargazer (fish) is waiting for it. The Black Sea has become a good habitat for a predator. In the winter season, it descends into its depths and waits out the cold period here. In summer, it rises to the upper layers of the sea reservoir. Almost without moving during the hunt, the fish is able to sit in ambush for up to 14 days, patiently waiting for its prey. A mollusk passing by will immediately become her dinner.
Mating season for fish
The mating season of stargazer fish begins in the summer in the coastal zone with a depth of up to 800 meters. The female during the season lays eggs 2-3 times, which reaches a number of 120 thousand eggs. The new offspring swim in coastal areas where the water warms up especially well and food is available.
It is during the spawning period that the fins of a predator become poisonous, their injections can cause swelling with severe pain.
Avid fishermen often catch a sea cow with bottom gear. But the fish can get off the hook.
At the moment of danger, a predator,pushing off with spade-shaped fins, it digs into the sand, merging with the natural background.
Spotted stargazer
Another predator from the stargazer family lives in the waters of the Atlantic. Bottom fish spotted stargazer is found near the North American coast. She has a terrifying appearance. The fish lives in shallow water, on average from 7 to 40 meters.
The speckled stargazer is often referred to as the North American stargazer because of its habitat. The fish knows how to camouflage and hide. These qualities help to hunt successfully. The fish almost completely burrows into the sand and becomes invisible to others. Spotted astrologer was discovered not so long ago. It was studied and described in 1860 by American naturalist Charles Conrad Abbott.
The main feature of the speckled stargazer is that it can strike its victim with an electric discharge. The organs that produce current are located behind the eyes. The discharge power is small, about 50W.
The body of the fish is dark in color, on which there are small spots of white. The size of the stargazer can be up to 50 centimeters, and the weight is about 9 kg. The eyes are far apart, and the head has a strong bony plate.
Out of natural conditions
Sea dragon out of nature can be seen in the Alushta Aquarium. Stargazer aquarium fish differs from its counterparts in size, having smaller shapes. In a 50 liter container, up to 8 coexist perfectlyindividuals. But in a 10-liter aquarium you can put only one, maximum a couple of adult fish. Knowing the need to burrow into the sea soil, small pebbles and sand are placed on the bottom of the tank.
Stargazer fish get along well with peaceful aquarium fish species.
For a comfortable existence, the temperature of the water is 15-20 degrees for the stargazer. The bottom of its habitat is covered with silt mixed with fine gravel and planted with sagittaria, vallisneria and elodea. The main diet is shrimp, small fish, shellfish. As soon as the water temperature drops by a few degrees, the males swim after the females, and they, in turn, begin to throw eggs, which settle on the grassy vegetation of the aquarium.
Stargazer fish prefers high-quality water filtration and natural light. You will need to change part of the water every day.
Interesting facts
- The presence of electric organs behind the eyes of a predator makes this fish unique. Adult individuals generate current up to 40-50 watts. So they scare away potential enemies, and during the mating period they signal their readiness to choose a partner for themselves.
- Many include a predator in their diet, after removing the poisonous spikes. Connoisseurs say that the taste of the fish is very pleasant.
- This species has no commercial value.
- When luring prey, the sea cow releases a tongue resembling a moving worm. This organ, working as a bait, provokes the victim to grab onto it. So cunning creaturefeeds himself.
- The main features of a predator are patience, cunning and the ability to adapt, merging with the bottom topography.
