Awaous banana (Valenciennes, 1837)
River goby
Awaous banana
photo by Matamoros, W.A.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed); 24.38 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  North, Central and South America: northern Florida, USA southward through the Greater and Lesser Antilles to Trinidad and Tobago, and from Tamaulipas, Mexico southward to Caracas, Venezuela; central Baja California Sur and Sonora, Mexico southward to Tumbes, Peru.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11
Biology:  Inhabits clear streams and rivers over sand and gravel, but also found in turbid waters with muddy bottoms. Prefers clear flowing, well oxygenated streams. Feeds mainly on filamentous algae (Ref. 13444).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 September 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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