Benthophilus magistri Iljin, 1927
Azov tadpole goby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  8.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Europe: Sea of Azov.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: head tubercles and granules of almost equal size; tubercle on dorsal midline of head behind eye absent; numerous, densely set granules, covering whole body except abdominal are; tubercles in dorsal row 28-30, ventral row 23-25, upper and lower lateral rows more than 20, size small, especially in caudal area, while for the dorsal row, increasing from head to base of dorsal; branched rays in D2 9-11.5, A 8-10.5; body without dark blotches (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Stays in the biocoenosis of the estuarine silts (Ref. 2058). Occurs in fresh and slightly brackish waters with salinity below 11 ppt , usually over mud bottom. It lives about a year. Females probably lay eggs in 2-3 portions within or under a molluscs shell and the adults die soon after spawning. Feeds mainly on molluscs, crustaceans and chironomid larvae. (Ref.59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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