Genus: Heteristius, Sand-Stargazers
both lips + skin flaps
D: 2-spine finlet + 2 free spines + main fin
C no branched rays
belly all scaled
HETERISTIUS
SAND-STARGAZERS
Body compressed, tapering to tail; head pointed; eyes not on stalks; top and bottom lips with skin flaps; tubular nostrils; dorsal fin in 3 parts, front part a low 2-spined finlet on nape, then I-II free spines before the main part of the fin; tail fin with unbranched rays; lateral line continuous, bends down under dorsal spines VIII-XII; scales smooth, head scaleless, belly & pectoral base completely scaled.
The genus has a single species, which is endemic to our region.
