Batrichthys apiatus, the snakehead toadfish, is a species of fish from the coast of South Africa.
| Batrichthys apiatus | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Batrachoidiformes |
| Family: | Batrachoididae |
| Genus: | Batrichthys |
| Species: | B. apiatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Batrichthys apiatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThis 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
editThis 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
edit- ^ "Batrichthys apiatus". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Batrichthys apiatus". FishBase. April 2023 version.