Blotched Stargazer

Stargazers should be added to very large aquarium with a deep sand bed. Stargazer fish become quite large and bury themselves in the sand with only their mouth and eyes sticking out. Stargazers are aggressive ambush predators patiently waiting for benthic prey to get close enough to jump up and grab. They are also quite opportunistic feeders as they are not to picky about the prey, anything close enough or small enough to fit in its mouth will be consumed swallowing it whole. Astroscopus Stargazers are venonmous as well as having the capability of producing a strong electric current that can harm tank mates and humans. Care will need to be taken when placing hands in the aquarium near the fish. Stargazers are long living nocturnal fish.

The Blotched Stargazer is also sometimes known as the Atlantic or Striped Stargazer. They are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade. In terms of appearance, they have a flattened head with large eyes on the top of the head, and a broad, upward-facing mouth. They have a brownish-gray color with darker spots and can grow up to around 30 inches in length.

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 500 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH