Biology:Batrichthys apiatus

From HandWiki
Short description: South African fish species

Batrichthys apiatus
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Batrachoidiformes
Family: Batrachoididae
Genus: Batrichthys
Species:
B. apiatus
Binomial name
Batrichthys apiatus
(Valenciennes, 1837)
Synonyms[2]
  • Batrachus apiatus Valenciennes, 1837
  • Amphichthys ophiocephalus Smith, 1947
  • Batrichthys ophiocephalus (Smith, 1947)
  • Gymnobatrachus ophiocephalus (Smith, 1947)

Batrichthys apiatus, the snakehead toadfish, is a species of fish from the coast of South Africa.

Description

This fish grows up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and has a somewhat depressed shape. The large, broad head has a few irregularly shaped dark marks and the body and dorsal fin have broad darked-edged brown bars. The large pectoral fins have a few dusky bars. There is a dark line across the eyes, extending onto the gill covers. Small, fleshy tentacles surround the mouth, but these are not always easily visible due to the size of the fish.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Africa. It is found between Saldanha Bay and the Transkei.[4] It usually occurs at depths of less than 10 m (33 ft) and is common in rock pools. It commonly hides under rocks and small boulders.[3]

References

  1. Collette, B.B. (2024). "Batrichthys apiatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T87518590A87542245.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/87518590/87542245. Retrieved 5 March 2025. 
  2. "Batrichthys apiatus". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=221349. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Zsilavecz, Guido (2005). Coastal fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay: a divers' identification guide. Cape Town: Southern Underwater Research Group. ISBN 0-620-34230-7. OCLC 70133147. 
  4. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2023). "Batrichthys apiatus" in FishBase. April 2023 version.

Wikidata ☰ Q3506799 entry