5-6-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a peculiar discovery that has captivated social media users, an unusual fish known as the longnosed stargazer was found washed up on the shores of Singapore, leaving many people both intrigued and unsettled by its bizarre appearance.
The remarkable sighting was shared by Dennis Chan, who took to Instagram to post a wild video showcasing the stargazer buried face-up in the sand within shallow water, its mouth agape and eyes seemingly fixed on the sky above. The clip quickly went viral, garnering a staggering 53.3 million views and 1.2 million likes as of Monday morning.
“An uncommon and fascinating sight, these quirky fish bury themselves in the sand with only their heads exposed, seemingly gazing at the stars while waiting for unsuspecting prey,” Chan explained. “They are similar to stonefishes and scorpion fishes, which means they also possess venomous spines that can deliver painful stings.”
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In the video, Chan captured the creature from various angles, each time showcasing its peculiar upward gaze – until the fish seemed to start gulping water and burrowed itself deeper into the sand, perhaps sensing the presence of potential prey.
According to FishBase, there are more than 50 species of stargazers found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, and one stargazer genus, the Astroscopus, has organs that produce electricity, adding to the intrigue surrounding these unusual creatures.
While the longnosed stargazer is occasionally spotted on the Northern shores of Singapore, typically buried in the sand with just its eyeballs popping out, the recent sighting has garnered significant attention and sparked a range of reactions from viewers.
Many expressed a mix of fascination and unease at the sight of the peculiar fish, with some finding it downright terrifying. “Unfind it,” urged one viewer, while another commented, “i’ve never despised an animal… before this one.”
