| Uranoscopidae (Stargazers) |
| 56 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 500 m |
| Pacific Ocean: endemic to New Zealand. |
|
Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal soft rays: 14-16; Vertebrae: 30-31. Head and body broad, head width 1.2-1.7 times its length, covered with tiny blunt knobs in juveniles to almost smooth in adults; mouth with several prominent canines between smaller canines; chin smooth; ventral margin of preopercle with four spine-like processes; anterior end of isthmus with a pair of prominent forward directed spines; prominent cleithral spine sheathed with skin above pectoral fin base; 17-19 gill rakers on first arch in the form of patches of fine teeth, patches broad, about six to ten teeth across patches, not in distinct rows, innermost teeth rather short; dorsal fin of moderate length, its base 43-66% of predorsal length; pelvic fins large, their length 23-28% SL; body whitish below usually with two broad, vertical, dark-brown, variously distinct bands or saddles across back, most distinct in juveniles and small adults (Ref. 86516). |
| Found on sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 86516). |
|
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
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