Microphis Aculeatus
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal rivers, streams and estuaries . Found in sea grasses and above sandy substrates in shallow water near shore a.o. . Ovoviviparous . Breeds in fresh water . Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch found under the tail . Eggs develop in the brood pouch for 1-3 weeks, until young of about 1.5 cm TL leave the pouch . Maximum reported total length for M. b. aculeatus 17.1 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38 - 54; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 2 - 3. Diagnosis: 41-44 bony rings (mode 43) , 19-21 (mode 20) trunk rings (before anus) and 20-26 tail rings (behind anus) . 8.0-9.75 total subdorsal rings, 1.75-3.5, usually 2.5 or more, subdorsal trunk rings and 5.25-7.0, usually 5.75-6.5, subdorsal tail rings . Head length 4.8-5.6 (mean 5.2) times in SL . Snout 1.5-1.7 (mean 1.6) times in HL . Coloration: general colour of preserved specimens dark brown, but pattern often highly variable within a single sample; lateral part of snout with dark brown blotches or stripes; body plain, blotched or with vague pale mid-lateral trunk stripe; dorsum and belly somewhat paler than flanks; ventral part of head light brown; opercle with numerous small dark brown spots and often a narrow horizontal dark, silvery stripe situated towards upper edge; caudal fin mainly brown with pale edging; other fins hyaline or with fin rays edged with brown; no consistent differences in preserved colouration of various subspecies .: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Microphis Aculeatus is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are attached to a kind of brood pouch, formed by two skin folds on the belly of the male .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 20 - 30. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C west coast of Africa, from Senegal to Angola (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doryichthis juillerati | Rochebrune | 1880 | Synonym |
| Doryichthys aculeatus | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Doryichthys falkensteini | Reichenow | 1878 | Synonym |
| Doryichthys juillerati | Rochebrune | 1880 | Synonym |
| Doryichthys macropterus | Poll | 1953 | Synonym |
| Doryichthys smithii | Duméril | 1870 | Synonym |
| Microphis brachyurus aculeatus | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Microphis smithi | Sterba | 1959 | Synonym |
| Microphis smithii | Duméril | 1870 | Synonym |
| Oostethus brachyurus aculeatus | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
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