Bostrychus africanus (Steindachner, 1879)

Family:  Butidae (Gudgeon gobies)
Max. size:  21 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Angola (Ref. 57413, 81660), including the islands of Guinea (Ref. 10812).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8. Diagnosis: 42-58 predorsal scales (Ref. 57413, 81660), extending to interorbital space (Ref. 57413). Cheek and opercle scaled (Ref. 81660). Small scales on operculum and preoperculum; 76-86 (perhaps up to 94) scales in longitudinal series (including 4 or more scales on caudal fin); 31-40 scales in rearward transverse series; 1st dorsal fin: VI; 2nd dorsal fin: I,9; anal fin: I,8; pectoral fins: 16 (Ref. 57413, 81660). Caudal fin rounded with 17 segmented rays, 15 of which are branched (Ref. 57413). Coloration: Preserved specimens: dark brown or black, lighter ventrally (Ref. 57413, 81660). Several dark, vertical bars present along midline of flanks, last at base of caudal fin (Ref. 57413). Fins dark; a distinct dark spot on dorsal margin of caudal fin near its base; ventral margins of anal and caudal fins white; pelvics with white lateral margins (Ref. 57413, 81660).
Biology:  Found in estuaries and other brackish-water environments; occasionally entering freshwater (Ref. 57413, 81660). Food items include small crabs (Ref. 10812).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 July 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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