Southern stargazer
📖 Overview
Inhabits silty, sandy, or rubble bottoms . Feeds on fishes . Possesses electric organs located in a specialized pouch behind the eyes. Can discharge up to 50 volts .The electric organ discharge (EOD) rate depends on the temperature: about 500 Hz at 35°C and 50 Hz at 15°C (corresponding to the annual temperature range of the habitat of this species) . Cleithral spine with venom gland .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern stargazer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 100 m , usually ? - 70 m . Subtropical; 35°N - 8°N, 99°W - 60°W North Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan, Mexico; northern coast of South America (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
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
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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