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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Temperate 🎣 Game Fish

Northern stargazer

Astroscopus guttatus Abbott, 1860
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Max Length
59 cm
Max Weight
9.1 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.5
Depth
-
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Northern stargazer (Astroscopus guttatus), first described by Abbott, 1860 is a large fish in the family Uranoscopidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 59.00 cm in maximum length and up to 9.100 kg. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Temperate waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is valued as a game and sport species and venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.

Scientific Name
Astroscopus guttatus
Authority
Abbott, 1860
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
59 cm
Max Weight
9.1 kg
Trophic Level
4.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
52.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Northern stargazer is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Northern stargazer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 36 m . Temperate; 42°N - 31°N, 80°W - 71°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.5±0.8

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01259 × L3.03 (TL)
Max TL
59cm
Max Weight
9,100g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
52.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.5
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Abbott, 1860

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 29 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Northern stargazer ↗
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