Uranoscopidae
by J.-C. Hureau
Medium-sized fishes with an elongate, subconical body. Head broad and deep, with a flat dorsal surface. Small eyes turned upwards 'looking at the stars'. Mouth opening vertically, the lower jaw in front of the upper, premaxillae protrusible; often a retractile tentacle inside the mouth, near symphysis of lower jaw; villiform teeth present in jaws and on palatines. A strong cleithral spine behind gill cover, above pectoral fin. 2 dorsal fins, the first with 3 or 4 spines, the second long and opposite to anal fin with 13-15 soft rays. Anal fin spineless or with 1 spine, and with 12-14 soft rays. Pectoral fins large, with lower rays branched. Pelvic fins jugular with 1 spine covered by skin and 5 soft rays. Scales small, arranged in regular oblique rows.
Not very abundant benthic fishes occurring in littoral waters and on the continental shelf and upper slope. All species are bottom-dwelling, usually burrowing in sandy or muddy sediments. Some species are slightly electric and all have venom glands connected to the cleithral spine. Carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small benthic fishes, polychaetes and crustaceans.
Genera 9; in Clofnam area 1.