Genus: Platygillellus, Sand Stargazer, Sand Stargazers
eyes not stalked
PLATYGILLELLUS
SAND STARGAZERS
Body elongate, compressed, tapering to tail; head robust, snout broadly rounded; eyes on top of head, not on stalks; tubular nostrils; mouth upturned, with a protruding lower jaw; 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 in two sections, III-IV spined front finlet originates on nape; pelvic fins inserted under throat, each with I, 3, rays thickened and free at the tips; tail fin with some branched rays; lateral line continuous, bends down under last dorsal spine; scales large, smooth, operculum & pectoral base scaled; belly with a narrow band of scales along midline.
A neotropical genus with 6 species; 2 of which are endemic to our region.
