Awaous aeneofuscus (Peters, 1852)
Freshwater goby
Awaous aeneofuscus
photo by Watson, R.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  26 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Africa: East coast rivers and estuaries south to Algoa Bay. Also known Somaliland (Gulf of Aden including Somalia, Djibouti, and southeastern Ethiopia) and Madagascar (Ref. 4343).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-111. Diagnosis: palate without teeth; no spines on preopercle; dorsal fin with normal first spines; fleshy process below opercle; caudal fin not longer than head; no scales on opercle (Ref. 79840). Greenish with blotches on back and side (Ref. 2798). Coloration: generally olive green on back, paler on flanks, and greenish-greyish ventrally; brownish spots on back and flanks; caudal fin with small brown spots; brownish bands between mouth and eyes (Ref. 79840).
Biology:  Inhabits rivers and estuaries, including quiet swift water (Ref. 4967, 79840). Sometimes abundant in lagoons (Ref. 4967).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 July 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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