FE327SS/89 -- OPR-C147-HE-89; CONTACT #15 FROM SURVEY H-10284/88; DIVER INVESTIGATION FOUND A 45 FT STEEL WRECK RESTING KEEL UP ON A HARD, SANDY BOTTOM; WRECK WAS INTACT BUT NO NAME OR MARKINGS COULD BE LOCATED; HIGHEST POINT ON WRECK WAS THE STERN ON ONE OF THE TWO SKEGS; TWIN PROPS REMAIN ON THE WRECK; WRECK RISES 4 FT OFF THE BOTTOM; 44 FT PNEUMATIC DEPTH GAUGE LEAST DEPTH. (REV. 3/22/96, SJV)
Astroscopus guttatus
Size
to 22" and 20 lbs.
Description:
Don't expect to see these fishes very often - they live buried in the sand, with just their eyes protruding. The eyes are directly atop the flat head, and the mouth is almost vertical. Of course, they are ambush predators. If you flush one from its hiding place, it will clumsily swim a short distance, and then rebury itself in just seconds. Stargazers are capable of producing weak electric currents from organs located behind the eyes. I doubt that it is enough to be dangerous to a diver, although it might be startling! Midshipmen are similar but smaller, with a continuous dorsal fin and luminescent spots instead of electrical organs.
More: Northern Stargazer ...
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