Biology:Batrichthys apiatus

From HandWiki
Revision as of 11:45, 29 June 2023 by DanMescoff (talk | contribs) (update)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Short description: South African fish species

Batrichthys apiatus
Batrichthys apiatus 2.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Batrachoidiformes
Family: Batrachoididae
Genus: Batrichthys
Species:
B. apiatus
Binomial name
Batrichthys apiatus
(Valenciennes, 1837)
Synonyms[1]
  • 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[2]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q3506799 entry