Buried in Sand with Only Mouth Moving... The Identity of the Gollum-Like Fish

Longhorn Costagazer Found on Singapore Beach
Over 50 Species Worldwide...Edible

A bizarre-looking fish was discovered on a beach in Singapore, attracting attention.

'Long-nosed Stargazer' Found off the Coast of Singapore
[Image Source: Social Networking Service (SNS) Capture]

On the 5th (local time), the Daily Mail reported on a peculiar fish recently spotted by Dennis Chan, who lives in Singapore. Chan, a local wildlife tour guide, found the unusual fish buried in the sand while taking a walk along the beach. At the time of discovery, the fish was sticking only its head out of the sand, staring upward with wide-open eyes as if looking at the sky, repeatedly opening and closing its mouth while retreating and emerging from the sand. It also sprayed water when it opened its mouth.

Intrigued by this behavior, Chan recorded a video of the fish and posted it on his social media on the 18th of last month. He explained, "The fish seemed to be looking at the sky as if waiting for prey," and added, "Its appearance is similar to that of a stonefish." Stonefish are species that resemble rocks or coral, making them difficult to spot with the naked eye, and they are known for their potent venom, earning them the nickname "venomous scorpionfish." As of the 6th, the video has surpassed 54 million views and received nearly 1.3 million likes, instantly capturing the interest of netizens.

However, most reactions from netizens who saw the post were negative. They commonly described the fish as "ugly," comparing it to a French Bulldog and Gollum from the movie "The Lord of the Rings." After watching the video, many expressed fears such as "I developed ichthyophobia (fear of fish). It's terrifying," "I will never go into the water again," "If I stepped on that while walking underwater and looked down, I think I would die," "The devil's seal has been broken," and "It's creepy."

A long-nosed stargazer burying its body in the sandy neck, showing only its face
[Image source=Social Networking Service (SNS) capture]

The Daily Mail reported that the fish is a "Longnosed stargazer," which mainly inhabits seas around southern India and the East China Sea. It is estimated that over 50 species of stargazers exist worldwide, some of which possess organs that generate electricity. Although they carry venom, it is harmless to humans when consumed, and in some cultures, they are caught for food.

The Longnosed stargazer is known to occasionally be found along the northern coast of Singapore, usually with only its face or eyes protruding while buried in the sand. Wild Singapore explained that this fish hides in the sand during the day and primarily appears at night, hunting by stunning prey with venom or electric shocks.