Microdesmus aethiopicus (Chabanaud, 1927)

Family:  Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Microdesminae
Max. size:  5.74 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: the seven known specimens are from Cameroon (2), Fernando Poo (1), and Banana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (4)(Ref. 10815). Also reported from the Chiloango River in Cabinda (Angola)(Ref. 120641).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-17. Diagnosis: 47-50 total dorsal fin rays, including 13-17 spines; 26-30 total anal fin rays; anal fin usually originating between verticals from dorsal fin elements 18-20; caudal fin slightly pointed (Ref. 81677). Coloration: body yellowish white, perhaps slightly rosy, with many small brown spots forming numerous vertical bands; bands on more posterior parts of body chevron-shaped, marking arrangement of myomeres; snout and dorsal parts of preoperculum and operculum also mottled with numerous small black spots (Ref. 81677).
Biology:  Subadults and adults burrow in muddy littoral or estuarine bottoms (Ref. 10815).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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