Brazilian Sand Stargazer

Diagnosis: The dorsal finlet is fan-like and 3-spined, its height more than half of predorsal length, 58-84% (vs. 4-spined in P. smithi, low profile in P. rubrocinctus); first 2 spines of finlet more closely spaced than the 2nd and 3rd. Lateral line deflection is usually located below interspace between 14th and 15th dorsal fin elements. Upper lip fimbriae more numerous than those of lower lip. Base of pectoral fin usually naked or rarely with a single scale on its upper portion (Ref. 56973).

Known from shallow reefs; inhabits the margins of sand flats in small caves and below reef walls at depths of 1 to 6 meters; these areas are deposits of coarse gravel largely composed of f fragments of mollusc shells, crustaceans, corals, calcareous algae and sea urchin skeletons and spines. Found buried in the gravel, with just the eyes and the dorsal finlet exposed; it appears to 'swim' in the gravel; solitary or in groups. Associates with other sand-dwelling fishes such as Dactyloscopus tridigitatus, D. crossotus, Gillellus greyae, and toadfish Thallasophynne punctata; also an unidentified shrimp and juveniles of crabs (Callinectes sp.).

Platygillellus brasiliensis, the Brazilian sand stargazer, is a species of sand stargazer native to the Atlantic coast of Brazil where it can be found at depths of from 1 to 6 metres (3.3 to 19.7 ft) in areas with gravel substrates in which it buries itself almost completely except the eyes and the dorsal finlet. Males of this species can reach a maximum length of 4.1 centimetres (1.6 in) SL, while females can reach a maximum length of 4.0 centimetres (1.6 in) SL.