Atlantic stargazer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlantic stargazer |
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The Atlantic stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber) is a fascinating fish that lives in the ocean. It belongs to a family called Uranoscopidae. This fish is special because it lives on the seafloor. It's also one of the few fish that can make its own electricity!
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Where the Atlantic Stargazer Lives
This fish lives in many places. You can find it along the Atlantic coast of Europe and Africa. It is very common in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Sometimes, it is also seen in the Bay of Biscay.
The Atlantic stargazer is a demersal fish. This means it lives close to the bottom of the sea. It prefers sandy or muddy areas. You can find it in depths from about 14 to 400 meters.
What the Atlantic Stargazer Looks Like
The Atlantic stargazer has a unique body shape. It is somewhat flat from top to bottom. It does not have a swimbladder, which most fish use to control their buoyancy.
These fish can grow up to 35 centimeters long. But usually, they are between 20 and 30 centimeters. Their head and mouth point upwards. They have very large eyes and a big mouth.
Their body is usually brown. It might have many small, light spots. Their belly is a lighter color. Atlantic stargazers usually live for about 5 or 6 years. Female fish are often larger than males.
Amazing Facts About the Atlantic Stargazer
How It Hunts for Food
The Atlantic stargazer is an ambush predator. This means it hides and waits for its prey. It buries itself under the sand. Only its eyes stick out.
It has a large mouth. A small strip of skin hangs from its lower jaw. The fish wiggles this skin strip. This acts like a lure to attract other fish. When prey comes close, the stargazer quickly lunges. It uses its strong vertebral column to push itself forward. This happens super fast, in less than 30 milliseconds! It then swallows its prey whole.
The Atlantic stargazer mostly eats small fish. This includes fish larvae, gobies, and picarels. It also eats small crustaceans. Sometimes, it might eat molluscs, echinoderms, annelids, or even plants.
How It Makes Electricity
All fish in the Uranoscopus genus can make electricity. This includes the Atlantic stargazer. They have special electric organs. These organs can create electric pulses.
The Atlantic stargazer makes electric pulses when it eats. It also makes them when it feels threatened. These electric organs come from special muscles. In other fish, these muscles help them make sounds.
