Batrichthys apiatus
South African fish species
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Batrichthys apiatus, the snakehead toadfish, is a species of fish from the coast of South Africa.
| Batrichthys apiatus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Batrachoidiformes |
| Family: | Batrachoididae |
| Genus: | Batrichthys |
| Species: | B. apiatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Batrichthys apiatus (Valenciennes, 1837) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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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]