Species: Platygillellus smithi, Sailfinned Stargazer

Platygillellus smithi Dawson, 1982

Sailfinned Stargazer

Body elongate, compressed, tapering to tail; head robust, profile angular to rounded; eyes on top of head, not on stalks; tubular nostrils; mouth upturned, with a protruding lower jaw; top and bottom lips both with fringe of skin flaps, 13 on top lip, 9 on lower lips; upper part of operculum with a frill of skin flaps; dorsal fin in two sections, IV spined front finlet, finlet high (height = distance to snout before that fin) originates on nape, main part of fin with a notch between spines and rays, XV, 14; anal fin II, 22; pelvic fins inserted under throat, each with I, 3, rays thickened and free at the tips; scales large, smooth; front arch of lateral line long, bends abruptly down under last dorsal fin spine, 25-26 scales on arched part, 11-12 on straight part; no scales on head; belly with a band of 8-9 scales along midline; none on pectoral base.

Whitish, with 4 dark bars, 1st on nape through dorsal finlet and operculum, 2 on body extend nearly to lower profile, a narrow bar on tail fin base; 3 short bars radiating from eye; dorsal finlet brown, with pale tip.

Reaches 4.8 cm.

Lives in sand in sand-rubble areas around reefs.

Depth range: 0-37 m, usually < 10 m.

The Turks and Caicos to the S Caribbean.