FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
331 
Chesapeake Bay 
Beaufort 
X 
II 
III 
I 
II 
III 
4. 73 
1.21 
9. 50 
6.80 
10. 00 
4.94 
1.24 
9. 60 
7. 75 
11. 15 
5.20 
1.35 
10.80 
8.25 
13.20 
3.24 
.82 
5.25 
7. 38 
18.50 
3.44 
.88 
5.90 
8.35 
20. 50 
3.78 
.90 
6.15 
9.20 
22.00 
Total length of Y in interorbital ___ 
Length of straight part of Y in head 
Widdh of straight part of Y in head _ -- - 
The other alleged differences pointed out by Jordan and Evermann (1896-1900, pp. 2307-2310) 
between the northern stargazer, A. gutlatus, and the southern one, A. y-gr&cum, namely, that the two 
spines in front of the eye are longer in the northern species and that the pale spots are smaller, can 
not be substantiated. All Chesapeake Bay records quite certainly are referable to A. guttatus. 
The stargazer is readily separated from all other fish of Chesapeake Bay by the broad head, 
with the very small eyes situated on top of it (from which the name “stargazer” originated), and 
by the vertical mouth and fringed lips. The rather rough and bony upper surface of the head, 
with sculpturing forming a Y, also is very characteristic. 
The electric toad receives its name from the shock it 
is able to give to the one who handles it. This shock is pro- 
duced by electric organs situated in the smooth, naked 
areas lying posterior to the eyes. A fish 6 inches in length 
is able to give a very perceptible shock, and larger fish give 
a proportionately stronger one. It is not yet known 
Fig. 199. — Astroscopvs y-grxcum. Dorsal surface 
of head; from a specimen 7J4 inches long 
whether use is made of the electric organs in the 
capture of food or in self-defense, or both. 
Six fish, ranging in length from 4 y% to 5% 
inches, were examined for food. Four of these 
had fed on fish and two on isopods. This fish 
lives well|in"the aquarium, and when sand is pro 
vided buries itself, leaving only the eyes and lips 
exposed. When it is thus buried it is said to be 
lying in wait for prey. It can live for a long time 
out of water; one specimen, placed on ice, remained 
alive for 15 hours. 
Verypittle is known of the spawning habits 
and rate”of ; growth of this stargazer. Very young 
fish are rare in collections. Bean (1903, p. 659) records a specimen 1 inch long, taken on August 1 
at Ocean City, N. J., and another, 2}z% inches long, caught on August 26 at Longport, N. J. The 
smallest specimen in the Chesapeake collection — 60 millimeters (2% inches) long — together with 
another 93 millimeters (3% inches) in length, were seined at Buckroe Beach, Va., on October 5, 
1921. At Ocean View, Va., 23 small stargazers were caught in collecting and commercial haul 
| seines from September 25 to October 18, 1922. One of these fish was 151 millimeters (6 inches) 
Fto. 200 . — Astroscopus guttatus. Dorsal surface of head; from 
a specimen 9% inches long 
