Dactyloscopidae

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Dactyloscopidae (sand stargazer; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A family of mainly marine, tropical fish that have a somewhat bulky head, a large and almost vertical mouth, eyes positioned on top of the head, and long dorsal and anal fins, the anal fin originating well forward under the spinous dorsal. The lateral line is well developed. The fish tend to bury themselves in the sand with only part of the head free, awaiting the arrival of unsuspecting prey. There are about 20 Atlantic and Pacific species.

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