Astroscopus ygraecum (Cuvier, 1829)
Southern stargazer
Astroscopus ygraecum
photo by Christie, B.L.

Family:  Uranoscopidae (Stargazers)
Max. size:  44 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 100 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan, Mexico; northern coast of South America (Ref. 5217). Absent in the West Indies.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-13
Biology:  Inhabits silty, sandy, or rubble bottoms (Ref. 9710). Feeds on fishes (Ref. 13628). Possesses electric organs located in a specialized pouch behind the eyes. Can discharge up to 50 volts (Ref. 10576).The electric organ discharge (EOD) rate depends on the temperature: about 500 Hz at 35°C and 50 Hz at 15°C (corresponding to the annual temperature range of the habitat of this species) (Ref. 10011). Cleithral spine with venom gland (Ref. 57406).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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