'Star Gazer' from William Buleow Gould's Sketch book of Fishes in Macquarie Harbour c 1832
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The stargazers are a family of fish that have eyes on top of their heads (hence the name). The family includes about 51 species (one extinct) in 8 genera, all marine and found worldwide in shallow waters.
In addition to the top-mounted eyes, stargazers also have a large upward-facing mouth in a large head. Their usual habit is to bury themselves in sand, and leap upwards to ambush prey that pass overhead.
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Watercolours on paper
'Porcupine Fish' from William Buleow Gould's Sketch book of Fishes in Macquarie Harbour c 1832
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Porcupinefish are fish of the family Diodontidae, also commonly called blowfish or pufferfish.
Porcupinefish have the ability to inflate their body by swallowing water or air, thereby becoming rounder. This increase in size (almost double vertically) reduces the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths. A second defense mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate outwards when the fish is inflated.
Some species are poisonous, having a tetrodotoxin in their internal organs. This neurotoxin is at least 1200 times more potent than cyanide. The poison is produced by several types of bacteria that are obtained via the fish's diet. As a result of these three defenses, porcupinefish have few predators, although adults are sometimes preyed upon by sharks and orcas. Juveniles are also preyed on by tuna and dolphins.
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Both postcards are unused and were bought at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney in 2012
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