Dormitator Lebretonis

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Inhabits brackish water estuaries, creeks, lagoons and mangrove areas; occasionally enters freshwater . Known to be tolerant of wide range of salinity. Used as bio-control agents, e.g., use in control of mosquito larva . Endemic to West African coastline from Senegal to the Cunene River in Namibia .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. Diagnosis: 14-24 predorsal scales, usually 19-22; cheek and opercle scaled . 28-33 scales in longitudinal series (including 2 or 3 scales on caudal fin base) . 8-12 scales in rearward transverse series . 1st dorsal fin: VI-VII; 2nd dorsal fin: I,7-9; anal fin: I,9-10; pectoral fins: 11-14 . Caudal fin rounded with 15 segmented rays, 13 of which are branched . Sensory canals absent on head , sensory papillae on cheek form horizontal rows . About 10 gill rakers on upper limb, and 20 on lower limb of first gill arch , 29-37 in total . Coloration: Preserved specimens: brownish or tan dorsally on head and body. Ventral surface of belly pale . Most mid-lateral scales with spots equal in depth to scales forming an interrupted band extending from pectoral fin base to caudal fin base . About 2 longitudinal bands sometimes present just dorsal to midline of scales . Dark brown or black spot just posterior and dorsal to operculum , above the pectoral fin base on side of nape extending onto upper pectoral fin base , sometimes a smaller spot below this . Dorsum with 7-8 irregular dark saddles, becoming lighter ventrally below the mid-lateral row of spots; thin infraorbital bar reaching from eye just behind angle of jaw to edge of gular fold; a pair of dark bands running posteriorly from lower half of eye to edge of preopercle . Vertical brown bar at base of caudal fin . First dorsal fin with 3-4 horizontal bands, second dorsal fin with 3-4 rows of interradial spots . Caudal fin with several vertical, crescentric bands of small spots . Anal fin light brown , with 3 discretely edged horizontal bands . Pelvics light brown with central rays sometimes darker , dark line crossing bases of rays . Pectorals transparent or dusky . Live specimens: pale olive-green on back and white on belly; red-brown spots on 1st dorsal, 2nd dorsal and anal fins, latter 2 also with light yellow spots near distal margin; caudal fin with red-brown spots near base, and yellow or orange spots posteriorly .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Dormitator Lebretonis is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Dormitator Lebretonis is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawns in caves or on top of plants. Sometimes several females spawn with one male.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical; 16°N - 18°S, 19°W - 14°E

🌿 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) - 54 records indexed .

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