Gobioides africanus (Giltay 1935)

As for genus except as noted. Dorsal and anal fins not joined by membrane to caudal fin. Meristics.- Dorsal fin VI-[, 14; anal fin I, 14; caudal vertebrae 16; pectoral-fin rays 15-19. One complete row of teeth in each jaw. Coloration.--Based on the original description, the color of live specimens is uniformly white with the tips of the second dorsal and anal fins black.

Diagnosis: single, complete row of caniniform teeth in both jaws; dorsal and anal fins each with 14 segmented rays; 26 vertebrae (Ref. 57403, 79590). Mouth oblique, gape wide (Ref. 27974). Gape of mouth reaching to below eye (Ref. 57403, 79590). Eyes small, approximately twice the diameter of posterior nostril (Ref. 27974). Dorsal fin: VII,14; anal fin: I,14; pectoral fins: 15-19; caudal fin: 17 segmented rays (Ref. 57403, 79590). Dorsal and anal fins apparently not connected to caudal fin (Ref. 27974, 57403, 79590), although the reliability of this feature has been questioned by various authors (Murdy, 1998)(Ref. 57403, 79590).Coloration: preserved specimens: uniformly light brown (Ref. 57403, 79590). In life: body and fins whitish; (second) dorsal- and anal-fin rays dark-tipped (Ref. 27974, 57403, 79590).

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 14; Vertebrae: 26

Occurs in muddy inshore marine habitats (Ref. 79590, 92840), over sandy bottom and in estuaries (Ref. 92840). Perhaps also found in brackish waters (Ref. 79590).

fisheries: of no interest