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Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Butidae (Gudgeon gobies)
Etymology: Bostrychus: Greek, bostrykos = cure of lack of hair (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Steindachner.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous (Ref. 46888). Tropical
Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Angola (Ref. 57413, 81660), including the islands of Guinea (Ref. 10812).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 21.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57413)
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 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).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Found in estuaries and other brackish-water environments; occasionally entering freshwater (Ref. 57413, 81660). Food items include small crabs (Ref. 10812).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Miller, P.J. and P. Wongrat, 1990. Eleotridae. p. 952-957. In J. C. Quéro, J. C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 10812)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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