Fish Identification Photos: Giant Sand Stargazer, Dactylagnus mundas: The Giant Sand Stargazer body has a uniform, tan, freckled pattern without defined bars or blotches. The Giant Sand Stargazer is white below, and the underside of the head is silvery. It is characterized by a large head, bluntly rounded head profile, and oblique, short lower jaw. The body tapers to the tail. The anal and dorsal fins are long and continuous with the origin of the dorsal behind the origin of the anal fin.

The Giant Sand Stargazer might be confused with the Fringed Sand Stargazer, Dactyloscopus fimbriatus (eyes on stalks). The Giant Sand Stargazer reaches a length of 8 inches. It is normally found in sandy beach areas in the first 50 feet of the water column.

The Giant Sand Stargazer is a member of the Dactyloscopidae Family of sand stargazers. They all have eyes without stalks on the top of the head, tubular nostrils, an upturned mouth, and a protruding, tubular lower jaw. They are seldom seen by humans since they are "lie-in-wait" predators.

They spend their time buried in sand with only the eyes, snout and mouths exposed, waiting for small fish and invertebrates to come within range. Globally, 46 species have been identified, 16 of which live in Mexican waters.

In Mexico, the Giant Sand Stargazer is found in all Mexican waters with the exception that it is absent north of Guerrero Negro along the Pacific side of Baja California and around the oceanic islands.

Giant Sand Stargazer, Dactylagnus mundas: A very rare species. Caught off the beach at Victors, Punta Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in April 2006 with a traditional bottom rig just into the water, fell off during the process, and quickly buried itself three inches into the sand. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow. Giant Sand Stargazer, Dactylagnus mundas: Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in March 2006, with a water temperature of 72 degrees, early morning, in 5 to 10 feet of water, utilizing a cast net by panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 5 inches. Identification confirmed by Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.