Rajas Shrikoli, Indien
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Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Trypauchen vagina was first described by Bloch & Schneider (1801) based on a single specimen from Tranquebar, India. Although their description was brief, Bloch & Schneider (1801) noted that there was an oval opening on the dorsal margin of the gill cover. The establishment of the genus Trypauchen (from the Greek trypa = hole and auchen = neck) by Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1837) is attributable to the presence of this anatomical feature. The function of this opening remains unknown to date.
According to WoRMS, the genus Trypauchen currently comprises only two described species:
Trypauchen pelaeos Murdy, 2006
Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Trypauchen vagina occurs in the shallow marine and brackish waters of the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the western Pacific, ranging from Kuwait to New Caledonia. Trypauchen vagina was recorded in the coastal waters of Israel (2009) and Turkey (2010) after the species entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
Trypauchen vagina grows up to 22 cm and has a rather unusual appearance, even for a eelpout.
Description of Trypauchen vagina: flattened and slender body; small head with a slightly convex upper profile; oblique mouth, slightly protruding lower jaw, large, curved canines in both jaws with small teeth in the inner row; very small, rudimentary eyes; small pouch with a horizontal, slit-like opening near the dorsal edge of the gill cover;
dorsal fin very long with 5 flexible spines fused to the caudal fin; anal fin rays fused to the caudal fin; pointed caudal fin and crescent-shaped pectoral fin; origin of the pelvic fin below the base of the pectoral fin, small funnel-shaped origin of the pelvic fin with an interradial membrane; Circular scales on the body and abdomen with very small scales; head and body red in color; fins translucent, with the exception of the pectoral fins;
Coloration: The coloration of the head and body is reddish-pink, though not uniform; the cheeks, the front part of the back, and the area in front of the caudal peduncle are particularly bright red. The area below the base of the pectoral fins is dark in color. All fins are translucent. The base color is white with a pinkish sheen, the intensity of which may vary depending on the season. The outer edges of the unpaired fins are gray, while the caudal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are either white or have a yellowish tinge.
Trypauchen vagina is common in most coastal zones and is found on the riverbed in tidal rivers and estuaries. It lives in burrows it digs itself in the silty and muddy bottoms of its marine and brackish habitats. Its eyes are reduced and completely covered by skin, and the front part of its head is protected by thick tissue; both of these adaptations help the fish dig its burrows.
The goby is an omnivore that feeds mainly on small invertebrates and organic matter.
Trypauchen vagina is occasionally sold as fresh fish.
Synonyms:
Gobioides ruber Hamilton, 1822 · unaccepted
Gobius vagina Bloch & Schneider, 1801 · unaccepted
Trypauchen wakae Jordan & Snyder, 1901 · unaccepted
Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Trypauchen vagina was first described by Bloch & Schneider (1801) based on a single specimen from Tranquebar, India. Although their description was brief, Bloch & Schneider (1801) noted that there was an oval opening on the dorsal margin of the gill cover. The establishment of the genus Trypauchen (from the Greek trypa = hole and auchen = neck) by Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1837) is attributable to the presence of this anatomical feature. The function of this opening remains unknown to date.
According to WoRMS, the genus Trypauchen currently comprises only two described species:
Trypauchen pelaeos Murdy, 2006
Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Trypauchen vagina occurs in the shallow marine and brackish waters of the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the western Pacific, ranging from Kuwait to New Caledonia. Trypauchen vagina was recorded in the coastal waters of Israel (2009) and Turkey (2010) after the species entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
Trypauchen vagina grows up to 22 cm and has a rather unusual appearance, even for a eelpout.
Description of Trypauchen vagina: flattened and slender body; small head with a slightly convex upper profile; oblique mouth, slightly protruding lower jaw, large, curved canines in both jaws with small teeth in the inner row; very small, rudimentary eyes; small pouch with a horizontal, slit-like opening near the dorsal edge of the gill cover;
dorsal fin very long with 5 flexible spines fused to the caudal fin; anal fin rays fused to the caudal fin; pointed caudal fin and crescent-shaped pectoral fin; origin of the pelvic fin below the base of the pectoral fin, small funnel-shaped origin of the pelvic fin with an interradial membrane; Circular scales on the body and abdomen with very small scales; head and body red in color; fins translucent, with the exception of the pectoral fins;
Coloration: The coloration of the head and body is reddish-pink, though not uniform; the cheeks, the front part of the back, and the area in front of the caudal peduncle are particularly bright red. The area below the base of the pectoral fins is dark in color. All fins are translucent. The base color is white with a pinkish sheen, the intensity of which may vary depending on the season. The outer edges of the unpaired fins are gray, while the caudal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are either white or have a yellowish tinge.
Trypauchen vagina is common in most coastal zones and is found on the riverbed in tidal rivers and estuaries. It lives in burrows it digs itself in the silty and muddy bottoms of its marine and brackish habitats. Its eyes are reduced and completely covered by skin, and the front part of its head is protected by thick tissue; both of these adaptations help the fish dig its burrows.
The goby is an omnivore that feeds mainly on small invertebrates and organic matter.
Trypauchen vagina is occasionally sold as fresh fish.
Synonyms:
Gobioides ruber Hamilton, 1822 · unaccepted
Gobius vagina Bloch & Schneider, 1801 · unaccepted
Trypauchen wakae Jordan & Snyder, 1901 · unaccepted
