Brown Goby

Diagnosis: snout 33-38% of head length; mouth with 2-3 rows of small, caniniform teeth; head length 24-31% of standard length; 2 fleshy processes on posterior of gill chamber, just inside gill opening; 35 or less cycloid predorsal scales, extending to vertical level of posterior part of preoperculum, predorsal scales may rarely be absent; cheeks and operculum naked; body with strongly ctenoid scales, numbering 54-66 (usually 59 to 63) in longitudinal series (including usually 3-4 scales on caudal fin base); 13-20 scales in rearward transverse series; 16-21 scales around caudal peduncle; 1st dorsal fin: VI; second dorsal fin: I,10 (rarely 11); anal fin: I,9-11 (usually 10), opposed to 2nd dorsal fin; pectoral fins: 14-17; caudal fin: 17 segmented rays (11 to 13 of which are branched); pelvic fins oval; yellowish dorsally, with several (about 14) bands of brown spots over dorsum (Ref. 57403, 79590).Description: oculoscapular canal almost always continuous (Ref. 57403, 79590), from anterior nostril to rear margin of the opercle (Ref. 79590), incorporating pores A, B, C (double), D (single), F (single), G, H (not always apparent), J, K and L (Ref. 57403). Upper jaw slightly hangs over lower jaw; upper lip thick; head broader than deep; caudal fin rounded (Ref. 4967, 13444).Coloration: Preserved specimens: head with approximately 4 bands of brown spots running anteroventrally from suborbital and upper preopercular regions towards jaws; upper part of operculum with a few brown spots; nape with several, distinct brown spots; body yellowish dorsally, with several (about 14) bands of brown spots on dorsum; flanks bearing 5-10 brown patches near lateral midline, last is close to base of caudal fin; ventral surface of body pale whitish; dorsal fins pale, with marbled brownish areas; anal and pelvic fins pale; pectoral fin pale but with some brown speckling forming vague bands on dorsal parts of fin; caudal fin with at least 3 cross bars consisting of brown dots; juvenile fish,

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 9 - 11

Occurs usually in freshwaters, but occasionally encountered in brackish waters of intermittent streams during dry seasons. Also found in flooded fields and marginal swamps along courses of streams and rivers.

Amphidromous freshwater species (Ref. 92840). Often found in lower courses of rivers, ranging from freshwaters to brackish habitats (Ref. 57403, 79590), including brackish waters of intermittent streams during dry seasons (Ref. 5299), but may ascend far up rivers (Ref. 57403, 79590). Also found in flooded fields and marginal swamps along courses of streams and rivers (Ref. 5299). Not usually exceeding 139.8 mm SL, larger specimens may be misidentifications of A. bustamantei (Ref. 79590).

fisheries:

Awaous lateristriga, the West African freshwater goby, is a species of goby found in marine, fresh and brackish waters (though mostly in freshwaters) along the Atlantic coast of Africa from Senegal to the Cunene River, Angola and also from islands in the Gulf of Guinea. This species can reach a length of 26.4 centimetres (10.4 in) TL.