A tiny, translucent larval fish floats in dark open water. Its body is round and glassy with a faint pink-brown core. The eyes are large and forward-facing, giving a surprised expression. Wispy, delicate fins extend like soft feathers from the top and sides, catching the light against the black background so the animal appears suspended in space. Photo credit: ©Gregory Rothman 2024 Identification: Larval stargazer (family Uranoscopidae). Behavior & natural history (notable facts): Adult lifestyle: Stargazers are benthic ambush predators that bury themselves in sand with only the eyes and upward-facing mouth exposed. Feeding strategy: They lunge upward to capture fish and crustaceans; some species possess a worm-like lure inside the mouth to attract prey. Electric capability: Several genera can produce mild electric shocks for defense. Larval phase: Unlike the bottom-dwelling adults, larvae are pelagic, drifting in the plankton. Ontogenetic shift: As they grow, they settle to the seafloor and develop the robust head and upward-oriented gaze characteristic of the group.

Sticking with the #blackwater theme from yesterday, I present a pea sized, larval, grumpy faced #Stargazer.

#Uranoscopidae #MacroMonday #EastCoastKin #Anilao #CBR #PhotographersUnited #Scuba #Oceanlife #Nauticam #NikonZ8