Genus: Myxodagnus, Dartfish Stargazer, Sand Stargazers
head conical
eyes not stalked
eyes not stalked
D continuous, origin over A origin
lower jaw long, conical, protruding
both lips - skin flaps
both lips - skin flaps
MYXODAGNUS
SAND STARGAZERS
Body long and slender, tapering to tail; head a pointed cone; eyes on top of head, not on stalks; tubular nostrils; mouth upturned, lower jaw strongly projecting; top and bottom lips with skin flaps; upper part of operculum with a frill of skin flaps; dorsal and anal fins with long bases; dorsal fin continuous, origin well behind nape over anal origin; pelvic fins inserted under throat, each with I, 3, rays thickened and free at the tips; tail fin with branched rays; lateral line continuous, bends down under dorsal spines VI-VIII; scales large, smooth, head and belly scaleless.
A neotropical genus with five species; one endemic present in our area.
