Batrichthys apiatus

Batrichthys apiatus, the snakehead toadfish, is a species of fish from the coast of South Africa.

Batrichthys apiatus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Batrachoidiformes
Family:	Batrachoididae
Genus:	Batrichthys
Species:	B. apiatus
Binomial name
Batrichthys apiatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Synonyms[2]
Batrachus apiatus Valenciennes, 1837 Amphichthys ophiocephalus Smith, 1947 Batrichthys ophiocephalus (Smith, 1947) Gymnobatrachus ophiocephalus (Smith, 1947)

Description

This 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.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Africa. It is found between Saldanha Bay and the Transkei.^[4] 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.^[3]