MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 283 



Fig. 160. Sandfish. 



Distribution: West Indies to Florida. 



Identification: This is an elongate, almost eellike fish. The colors are delicate 

 and quite beautiful with whitish and pale yellow predominating. There are 

 canines in the front of the jaws. 



Habits: This fish is quite common and is most often seen wending its way 

 in a rather eellike fashion in and out of holes of reefs near sandy places and 

 gorgonian beds. It is a feeder on invertebrates. 



Sivtilar Species: The ocean whitefish, Caiilolatilus frincefs, is found inshore 

 among rocks from Monterey to the tropics. It grows to over 3 feet. In shape it 

 is like a deep-bodied sandfish, and it has a rather small mouth. 



The tilefish, Lopholatilus chaynaeleonticefs, is an offshore fish which feeds 

 in the deep water near the outer continental shelf. Its ground color is whitish; 

 numerous blue and yellow spots cover the body. Ahead of the soft dorsal fin 

 on the head is a fleshy, erect tab. It ranges from Maine to the Chesapeake and 

 averages 3 feet and 30 pounds. 



ELECTRIC STARGAZERS: Family Uranoscopidae 

 This is an odd family, widely distributed in warm seas. 



NORTHERN STARGAZER: AstYOSCO'pilS gllttatUS 



Size: Up to a little over 1 foot. 



Distribution: New York to Cape Hatteras. 



Identification: The chunkv body with vertical mouth and eyes on the top of 

 the head identifies it. 



Habits: This fish is much like the anglers in habit. It lies buried in sand with 

 only the eyes and mouth protruding. A little filament in the mouth looks like 

 a worm and is wiggled to lure small fish which are then snapped up in the large 

 jaws. These fishes lay floating eggs in the summer. The stargazer can deliver 

 a noticeable electric shock. The electric organs are formed by modified optic 

 nerves. 



The habit of lying buried in sand presents a difficulty in breathing, since 

 water entering the mouth would bring sand with it. This problem has been 

 solved in this fish by passing water in and out through its nostrils, which are 

 connected to the throat cavity by a tube. These are the only fishes in which 

 the nostrils are not a blind pouch used for smelling only. 



Similar S-pecies: The southern stargazer, Astroscopus y-graecum, replaces the 

 northern species south of Cape Hatteras and is found over the West Indies. 



