Mud sleeper

📖 Overview

Inhabits rivers, estuaries and mangrove creeks . Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes. Marketed fresh . Maximum size recorded in West Africa was 8.3 cm TL .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: 11-15 scales in predorsal series; 25-29 ctenoid scales in longitudinal series (including 1-2 scales on caudal fin base); 9-12 scales in rearward transverse series; 1st dorsal fin: VI; second dorsal fin: I,8 (rarely 7); anal fin: I,7-9 (usually 8); pectoral fins: 19-22; pelvics relatively long, their tips almost, or just reaching level of anus; caudal fin rounded, with 11-16 segmented rays . 1st gill arch with 4-5 gill rakers on epibranchial, 6-8 on ceratobranchial , about 12 in total, that are narrow and spine-like . Dark brown, scales edged in dark brown . Body with 4-5 oblique bands , crossing dorsum at nape, 1st dorsal fin, 2nd dorsal fin and caudal peduncle (one or two) . Anterior part of 1st dorsal fin dark, 2nd dorsal and caudal fin with alternating dark brown and white spots, anal and pelvic fins dusky to black, pectorals clear; females with more distinct bands and lighter fins . Coloration: Preserved specimens: 2-3 longitudinal series of small dark spots above midline of flanks; broad, dark, crossbar running from each dorsal fin base towards belly, bifurcating on flanks into separate bands; 2 narrower crossbars on caudal peduncle; a lunate band on base of caudal fin; dark pre- and suborbital bands on head, confluent below eye; dark spot behind eye and light horizontal band running to posterior of operculum; snout marbled; 3 dark crossbars on nape preceding a light area in front of 1st dorsal-fin base; ventral area of head speckled; both dorsal fins with a dark proximal band; 1st dorsal fin more or less entirely dark to distal margin; 2nd dorsal fin with dark distal margin; anal and pelvic fins black, except distal area of pelvic fins lighter; pectoral fins with a dark spot at base (edged red in life) and an upper, smaller, dark spot sometimes evident .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Mud sleeper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Mud sleeper is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical found (introduced) in Guinea and Cameroon (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .

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