Range. Also known as the Popeye Fish. Their eyes and mouth are located on top of their head, facing upward, which is how the species gets its name. When in its own habitat, this fish appears like any other. They have a black-brown body with white spots, which grow larger and more spread out toward the tail. Privacy Policy, Chesapeake Bay Program Northern stargazer (English), aranhuco (Portuguese), bezmek (Serbian), cabecudo (Portuguese), kurbaga baligi (Turkish), lychnos (Greek), pesce prete (Italian), rata (Spanish), skaber amerykanski (Polish), sterngucker (German), stjarnkikare (Swedish), and taivaantahystaja (Finnish). Of all the creatures that live underwater, the northern stargazer certainly seems to be one of the grumpiest. However, once brought to the surface, their body collapse due to the extreme change in pressure. They live in sandy bottom habitat. Then they burst out and swallow their food whole. The Stargazer Fish lives in shallow waters and it is commonly seen in the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Range. Northern stargazer. Unlike other fish, who breathe with their mouths, northern stargazers breathe using nostrils to draw in water. Terms of Use | FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET A sit-and-wait predator that lies buried on the bottom, with only the top of the head, eyes, and mouth exposed, waiting for small fishes or crustaceans. The tail has three dark horizontal strips. Spawning occurs in May to June. Get the latest updates on our work delivered to your inbox. Dumbo Octopus Information such as weight, length, distribution and picture of Northern Stargazer. The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. Habitat. Length: 41 cm (16 inches). Physical: Northern stargazers are very unique looking fish. Females lay small, transparent eggs on the bottom of the Bay. The stargazer uses its side fins as shovels to quickly burrow below the sand in a matter of seconds. The northern stargazer is a strange-looking fish with a speckled, flattened body and a large head. Once something tasty swims by, the stargazer uses its large mouth to create a vacuum to suck its prey in. 7. Lives at the bottom of deep, open waters. (Image courtesy canvasman21/Wikimedia), Northern stargazers can deliver an electric charge that stuns and confuses prey and helps ward off predators. (Image by Peter Leahy/Shutterstock). Dumbo Octopus Diet Feeds on small crustaceans and bristle worms Status If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Northern stargazers have an organ on their heads that can deliver an electric charge that stuns and confuses prey and helps ward off predators. HABITAT Sandy substrate in coastal waters to 130 ft (40 m). The northern stargazer has a blackish-brown body with white spots that gradually get bigger from its head to its tail. Discover the Chesapeake Field Guide Fish Northern Stargazer. Once they grow to about 12 to 15 millimeters long, larvae swim to the bottom of the Bay, where they mature into adults. Fish provided by the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, March 2012. In addition to the top-mounted eyes, a stargazer also has a large, upward-facing mouth in a large head. Lives at the bottom of deep, open waters. Larvae grow rapidly, feeding from a yolk sac until it is completely absorbed. The Northern Stargazer is found in the Western Atlantic region growing up to 59cm in length. The stargazers are a family, Uranoscopidae, of perciform fish that have eyes on top of their heads (hence the name). Stargazers have a flat forehead with a lot of body mass up front near the mouth. Feeding: Northern stargazers eat small fishes, crabs, and other crustaceans. They hunt by burying themselves in the sand with their eyes and mouth sticking out just enough to search for prey. The northern stargazer can be found up to depths of 120 feet (37 m). Also known as the Popeye Fish. One look at its face tells you that this fish has a short temper, and it doesn’t take much for it to get angry. It's flattened body can grow to 22 inches in length, but it averages 8 to 18 inches in length. Not less than 50 different species of Stargazer fish are identified and this amazing fish species are known for … It lives at the bottom of the lower Chesapeake Bay’s deep, open waters. Lives year-round in the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay; rare north of Baltimore. The Northern Stargazer is found in the Western Atlantic region growing up to 59cm in length. They also have an organ that can discharge electricity to ward off predators. Scientifically known as Astroscopus guttatus, the Northern Stargazer can grow up to 22 inches but the average size is a foot or less. Breeding: Spawning takes place form May to June. Habitat: Their range spans from New York to North Carolina. Feeding: Northern stargazers eat small fishes, crabs, and other crustaceans. However, once brought to the surface, their body collapse due to the extreme change in pressure. At one stage, this fish was voted the world's ugliest fish. Three dark, horizontal lines appear on its tail. Shallow waters, particularly in the lower part of the Bay; they move to deeper, warmer waters in winter. Usually caught between spring and autumn, with a peak in September-October. Their usual habit is to bury themselves in sand, and leap upwards to ambush prey (benthic fish and invertebrates) that pass overhead.Some species have a worm-shaped lure growing out of the floors of their mouths, which they can wiggle to attract prey's attention. Astroscopus guttatus (northern stargazer) is a fish that can reach lengths of 22 inches (56 cm) and is found on the Atlantic shores between the states of North Carolina and New York in the United States. Females lay small transparent eggs, which eventually float to the water’s surface when it’s time to hatch. Their mouths slant vertically, their lips are fringed, and their eyes are on top of the head (hence the common name). In addition to the top-mounted eyes, a stargazer also has a large, upward-facing mouth in a large head. Sign up for email or connect through social media. 7. Ranges along the Atlantic Coast between New York and North Carolina. At one stage, this fish was voted the world's ugliest fish. Native range | All suitable habitat | Point map | Year 2100: This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed. BEHAVIOR Benthic, spending most of its time buried in the substrate. Pacific Stargazer, Astroscopus zephyreus. Northern stargazers tend to live in deeper waters than the Barnegat Bay, so any individuals found in the Bay are strays from the continental shelf. They live in sandy bottom habitat. They hunt by burying themselves in the sediment, leaving their eyes and nostrils above the sand while waiting for prey to approach.