black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Uranoscopus scaber (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Cottus anostomus Pallas, 1811.
Common names: Engl: Stargazer; Bulg: Zvezdobroets; Russ: Zvezdochet; Turk:
Kurbaga baligi; Ukr: Zirkoglyad.
Taxonomic description. D III-IV 13-15. A112-14; P 14-16. Scales in lateral series
76-90. Vertebrae 25-26 (Svetovidov, 1964; Stojanov et al, 1963). Body massive in
front, somewhat compressed posteriorly. Head large and flat dorsally. Eyes on top of
head. Interorbit space narrow. Colour: back and sides greyish-brown, belly
yellowish-white. Size up to 35cm.
IUCN Status
World level:
Black Sea Regional level:
Subregion level: CE (Bulgarian Coast)
Distribution. Atlantic coast of Europe and Africa, Mediterranean and Black Sea
(Hureau, 1986). In Bulgaria very rare along the entire coast.
Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. A benthic species, on sandy or
muddy bottoms; on sandy bottoms. Threats: chemical pollution.
Biology. Reproduction in July-August. Post-larval and juvenile stages pelagic.
Food: mainly fishes.
Population trends. Declining.
Threats. Chemical pollution.
Conservation measures takerr. None.
Order PERCIFORMES
Family URANOSCOPIDAE
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