Gobioides africanus

The <em>Gobioides africanus</em> is a saltwater fish in the family Gobiidae, the gobies — one of the most species-rich families of fishes, encompassing thousands of species across marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats worldwide. Adults of this species reach a maximum recorded length of approximately 13.5 cm. Members of the genus <em>Gobioides</em> are characterised by an extremely elongated, eel-like body form, which distinguishes them from the more typical compact body plan of most gobies. This body shape facilitates burrowing in soft muddy substrates of estuarine and coastal habitats. The species epithet africanus indicates an African distribution, with the species likely associated with the mudflats, mangroves, and shallow coastal environments of West or Central Africa. Details of habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature. Gobioides species are generally amphibious or semi-aquatic, capable of surviving brief periods of aerial exposure in intertidal habitats during low tide. They are typically carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, worms, and organic material found within the sediment or at the sediment surface. The fused pelvic fins forming an adhesive disc, characteristic of gobies, are present in this species and assist with substrate anchoring.