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  • expanded eyestalk not v long & slender
    rear nostril a pore next to front nostril tube
    D continuous, X, 30
    uniform pale
    Dactyloscopus boehlkei, Boehlke's sand-stargazer
    A 32-33 segmented rays
  • eye: black, ring of bumps/flaps, stalk short
    D usually 2 free spines, XI-XIII
    uniform pale
    Dactyloscopus comptus, Ornamented stargazer
    upper lip: 11-12 flaps
    rear nostril = hole near front tubular nostril
    A segmented rays 28-30
  • eye: no distinct stalk
    D XII, 1st 2-5 spines separate, free
    tan + darker mottling
    Dactyloscopus crossotus, Bigeye stargazer
    rear nostril: patch of 1-8 pores before tubular front nostril
  • eyestalk short
    D X, 31, continuous/ 1-3 free spines at front
    back blotched & barred
    upper side: 10+ bars
    Dactyloscopus foraminosus, Reticulate stargazer
    rear nostril a pore next to tubular front nostril
    A 33-34 rays
  • eyestalk short
    eye without spots/flaps
    D continuous XI-XII, usually notch after spine III
    top blotched & barred, side - faint stripes
    Dactyloscopus moorei, Speckled stargazer
    top lip flaps 13-17
    rear nostril a hole near front tubular nostril
    A segmented rays 30-35
    2-4 rows scales side of nape, centerline naked
  • eyestalk short
    eye without spots/flaps
    D XII-XIII, usually 2-3 free spines at front
    upper body: 10-13 brown bars, often stripe on flank, inside mouth pigmented
    Dactyloscopus poeyi, Shortchin stargazer
    top lip flaps 13-17
    rear nostril a hole near front tubular nostril
    A 32-35
    no scales on nape
  • eyestalk long & slender
    D XI-XIII, first 3-4 spines free
    mottled with tan, red on head, side 11-14 brown bars, pectoral white, C bars
    rear nostril a pore next to tubular front nostril