Giant stargazer
📖 Overview
Reported from depths between 30 m and 600 m . Buries in sea bed until suitable prey passes by. Utilized fresh and frozen; can be steamed, broiled and baked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 19; Anal soft rays: 17 - 18; Vertebrae: 33 - 34. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 17-19; A 17-18; vertebrae 33-34; body rather elongate, tapering from a moderately broad, flat, bony head (width 1.1-1.4 times its length) covered with tiny blunt spines in juveniles to low radiating ridges in adults; small eyes directed upwards; bony orbital rim separated medially by naked rectangular space; mouth large, vertical, with several prominent canines between smaller canines; chin smooth; lips with short ridge-like crenulations; ventral margin of preopercle with four spine-like processes; anterior end of isthmus with a pair of prominent forward directed spines; prominent cleithral spine sheathed with skin above pectoral fin base; gill rakers on first arch 14-17, in the form of patches of fine teeth, patches narrow, teeth in three or four rows, innermost row rather long; no scales; lateral line pores in skin high on side close to base of dorsal fin; dorsal fin low, elongate, its base 67-82% of predorsal length; pectoral fins huge, fan-like; pelvic fins moderately large, length 20-25% SL .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant stargazer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 30 - 600 m . Temperate; 34°S - 52°S, 158°E - 174°W Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant stargazer is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 679 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant stargazer has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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