Smooth 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 Smooth Stargazer is also sometimes known as the Pacific Stargazer. They are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade. The Smooth Stargazer has a short thick body tapering to its tail. They are dark green, brown or gray transitioning to a tan color. Their are white spots on their head and large white spots and blotches on their body. Smooth Stargazers can reach up to 13 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