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Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Gobiidae (Gobies) > Gobiinae
Etymology: Silhouettea: Named by Smith (1959) for the type locality, the island of Silhouette in the Seychelles (Ref. 78591:297).
Eponymy: This is a toponym; Lake Sibayi (also spelled Sibhayi), on the east coast of South Africa, is the type locality. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous (Ref. 46888); depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 7248). Subtropical; 25°S - 27°S
Africa: Lake St. Lucia (Ref. 11228), Lake Sibayi and Kosi Bay, South Africa (Ref. 7248, 52193).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 52193)
A cryptic species occurring on sandy bottoms (Ref. 4343). Found over sand in shallow littoral areas to about 20 m depth (Ref. 7248, 52193). Buries its body in the sand, uses first dorsal fin for display and possibly as a lure to attract prey (Ref. 7248, 52193).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Skelton, P.H., 2001. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Cape Town (South Africa): Struik Publishers, 395 p. (Ref. 52193)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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