Northern Stargazers have an organ on their heads that can create an electric charge (up to 50 volts) that may stun their prey and discourage their predators. This electric organ develops when juvenile Northern Stargazers mature into adults. Marine bony fishes like the Northern Stargazers which possess this ability are described as bioelectrogenetic. Due to their ability to electrocute other fishes and eat them alive by camouflaging themselves before attacking, Northern Stargazers are dubbed as "the meanest fish in creation".