Masked stargazer (Gillellus healae)

Scientific name: Gillellus healae Dawson, 1982

The Masked stargazer (Gillellus healae) is a marine fish of the family Dactyloscopidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, South Carolina and northeastern Gulf of Mexico to Florida Keys in USA, and also Aruba.

Biology

Burrows in soft sandy bottom, where it waits for prey, with only the eyes, nose and mouth protruding.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Gillellus healae
Family
Dactyloscopidae (Sand stargazers)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
7.5
Depth range
21–73 m (69–240 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 21 - 73 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: South Carolina and northeastern Gulf of Mexico to Florida Keys in USA, and also Aruba.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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