Snakehead gudgeon (Giuris margaritaceus)

Image source: Jo's Animal Database
General data
- Main name: Snakehead gudgeon
- Climates: Tropical
- Habitat: Amfidromous
- Native: Asia, Australia & Oceania
- Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean
Classification
- Genus: Giuris - Giuris
- Family: Eleotridae - Sleeper gobies
- Order: Gobiiformes - Gobies
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Giuris margaritaceus, the snakehead gudgeon, Aporos sleeper, or ornate sleeper, is a species of fish in the family Eleotridae found in marine, brackish, and fresh waters in Asia and Oceania: Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, China and some Japanese islands. This species grows to a total length of 29 cm (11 in) with a maximum recorded weight of 171 g (6.0 oz). This species is important to the local peoples as a food fish. Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Characterized by having enlarged, thickened and wide pectoral fins; widely spaced broad fleshy pelvic fin; head and snout flattened, small dorsolaterally oriented eyes; small ventrally placed mouth; accessory lateral line canals dorsal and ventral to the lateral line on the body, including caudal fin base; caudal fin large. Inhabits relatively steep gradient coastal streams in hilly or mountainous terrain. Feeds on algae and diatoms; effectively clings on rocks and boulders with its broadened pelvic and pectoral fins and flattened head and snout.