Ophiocara porocephala (Valenciennes, 1837)
Northern mud gudgeon
Ophiocara porocephala
photo by Keith, P.

Family:  Butidae (Gudgeon gobies)
Max. size:  34 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559), south to Australia and New Caledonia (Ref. 13235).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Head and body dark; 2nd dorsal and caudal spotted; juveniles with irregular crossbars (Ref. 5493).
Biology:  Adults occur in brackish estuaries, river mouths and freshwater creeks (Ref. 2847, 48637, 44894). Found in the lower courses of rivers, often upstream from the tidal zone (Ref. 12693). Young are usually found while wading in rocky creeks near the coast (Ref. 2847). Marketed fresh (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 June 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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