Don't be shocked by this fish

Mother Nature must have been in an angry mood when she created the Northern Stargazer. With a face that is fitted for sci-fi horror flicks, this fish certainly isn't winning any awards at the beauty contest.

However, nature did equip this ferocious looking predator with some nifty hunting skills, including an upturned, toothy mouth and electric shocks.

Scientifically known as Astroscopus guttatus, the Northern Stargazer can grow up to 22 inches but the average size is a foot or less. It's habitat is the sandy bottom on the East Coast from North Carolina to New York. It can be found in bays, the surf and out to depths of 120 feet.

This fish hunts by burying itself in the sand and ambushing its prey. Its pectoral fins act as shovels, enabling it to bury itself in a matter of seconds. The eyes are strategically located on the top of the head so that they will remain above the sand when the fish is buried.

The name Astroscopus actually means "one who aims at the stars" and guttatus translates to "speckled" — referring to the white spots on the fish's back.

The diet of the northern stargazer consists of small fish, crabs and other crustaceans that are unlucky enough to swim near it. Once the prey is in range, the stargazer rises from the sand and in an instant swallows the fish whole.

The top of the stargazer has electric organs that it uses for defense and it may or may not also use it to stun its prey. Because of the electric shocks they should be handled with care if caught.