Batrichthys apiatus

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

Batrichthys apiatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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)

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
  1. "Batrichthys apiatus". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. 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.
  3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2023). "Batrichthys apiatus" in FishBase. April 2023 version.
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