SINGAPORE (ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES) – A long-nosed stargazer fish has taken the internet by storm, drawing comparisons to a French bulldog, actor Steve Buscemi, a grumpy old man, and Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
An Instagram video of the fish has gone viral, amassing around 54.2 million views and nearly 1.3 million likes since it was posted on May 18.
The video, shared by The Untamed Paths – a group that offers local wildlife tours – features the fish’s bulging eyes and pinpoint pupils staring up at the camera, with only its face emerging from the sand before it burrows back in.
Instagram users had a field day with the video. Comments ranged from “New phobia unlocked” to “Me, when my alarm goes off in the morning.”
One user quipped, “Bro needs an exorcist.”
Some viewers found the fish’s appearance off-putting, calling it ugly. The video has caught the attention of major news outlets like the New York Post, Daily Mail, and India Times, all of which highlighted the social media reactions.
However, fish expert Tan Heok Hui offered a different perspective. “It is not an ugly fish. In fact, it is the epitome of an ambush predator,” said Dr Tan, an ichthyologist at NUS’ Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
He explained that stargazers typically bury themselves in sand or rock with only their head and eyes exposed, ready to ambush prey.
Dr Tan noted that some stargazers use their tongue, which looks like a frilly worm, to lure prey before striking. He also cautioned that these fish can be toxic and have spines that can cause injury, advising immediate medical attention if mishandled.
Dennis Chan, founder of The Untamed Paths, discovered the fish on April 26 along Singapore’s northern shores. This was his first encounter with the species.
“It had just the head protruding out of the sand. Stargazers do so naturally while waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass by,” he said.
He was particularly impressed to find the fish in an intertidal zone rather than while diving.
The intertidal zone, as defined by the National Parks Board, is the coastal area between high and low tide marks, teeming with marine biodiversity like sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and crabs.
Chan advised those who encounter long-nosed stargazers to keep their distance and appreciate them without provoking them.
Addressing the negative comments on the fish’s appearance, he said, “That was not what the video was intended for. Such marine creatures evoke a sense of wonder, awe, and appreciation for the natural world. There is so much to observe, discover, and learn about these fascinating creatures, especially in Singapore, a region of great marine biodiversity.”
