Dactyloscopus foraminosus Dawson, 1982
Reticulate stargazer
photo by Menezes, N.A./Figueiredo, J.L.

Family:  Dactyloscopidae (Sand stargazers)
Max. size:  7.9 cm NG (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 11 - 79 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: along the Brazilian coasts and provisionally, from off southeastern Florida, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-32; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 33-34. Common amongst Dactyloscopidae: Small, elongate fishes. Head usually broad and deep, body tapering and compressed behind. Eyes on top of head, often protrusible; mouth moderate to large, oblique to vertical; upper and/or lower lips with fimbriae; jaw teeth minute, in 2 or more series; no teeth on roof of mouth (vomer and palatines). Opercular opening large, gill membrane free from isthmus; opercles membranous, large, usually overlapping on underside of head, typically fringed above with 2 to 24 fleshy fimbriae. Dorsal fin continuous, with an isolated or semi-isolated anterior finlet, or with 1 to 5 separate anterior rays; dorsal-fin spines 7 to 23; anal-fin spines 2; dorsal and anal fins free or united to caudal fin by fragile membranes; pectoral fins broad-based, usually enlarged in mature males; caudal-fin rays simple or branched; pelvic fins under throat (insertion anterior to pectoral-fin base), with 1 spine and 3 thickened segmented rays; all other rays simple. Head and venter naked, body elsewhere with large cycloid scales (smooth to touch); lateral line high anteriorly, deflecting ventrally behind pectoral fin to continue along middle of side to caudal-fin base where terminal lateral-line scale bears ventrally directed canal. Body coloration, variably pale to strongly pigmented with white, brown, or reddish; some forms with characteristic saddle-like bars crossing back; others plain, mottled, or with indications of lateral stripes. Species distinguished by: dorsal-fin origin on nape; without a distinct anterior finlet; spines usually 10; total dorsal-fin elements 40 to 42 (usually 41). Segmented anal-fin rays 33 or 34. First preopercular canal branched, with 2 or more distal pores. Posterior naris (a single pore) located on anterior rim of preorbital, adjacent to base of tubiform anterior naris; premaxillary pedicels reach well past rear margins of orbits. Expanded eyestalk not exceptionally long and slender (Ref.52855).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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