New Zealand sand stargazer
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| iNew Zealand sand stargazer | ||||||||||||||
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| Crapatalus novaezelandiae Günther, 1861 |
The New Zealand sand stargazer, Crapatalus novaezelandiae, is a southern sandfish of the family Leptoscopidae, found around New Zealand in shallow sandy areas, particularly harbours and estuaries. Its length is up to 45 cm.
The New Zealand sand stargazer has a long tapering body and a large scaleless head, large pectoral fins, and long low dorsal and anal fins. The lateral line is very conspicuous, being composed of large leaf-shaped scales each with a distinct central ridge.
Coloration is grey or grey-brown above with darker speckles, and a white belly.
These fish bury themselves in the bottom sediments to conceal themselves from their prey, which is crabs, molluscs, and worms, as well as small fishes.
[edit] References
- "Crapatalus novaezelandiae". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
