Awaous bustamantei (Greeff 1882)

Diagnosis: usually 18-20 scales in rearward transverse series (range 18-22); 23-30 scales around caudal peduncle; densely pigmented on dorsum and with large, dark spots on flanks (Ref. 79590).Description: similar to A. lateristriga, mainly distinguished by scale counts; head length 28-34% SL; up to 36 cycloid predorsal scales extending to vertical level of posterior part of preopercle; 54-62 ctenoid scales in longitudinal series (including 3-5 scales on caudal fin base; usually 51-59 on body); 23-26 scales around caudal peduncle (Thys 1967 reports 24-30 scales); 2nd dorsal fin I, 10, anal fin I, 10, pectoral fins 16, caudal fin 20 segmented rays; pelvic fins oval; oculoscapular canal incorporating pores A, B, C, D (single), F, G, J, K and L (Ref. 79590).Coloration: Preserved specimens: head mottled with dark brown or black over a paler yellowish ground colour; flanks yellowish with several large brown patches along mid-line and numerous smaller brown spots dorsal to mid-line, often coalesced into a uniform brown or grey; ventrum yellowish white; pelvic fins pale; other fins with greyish membranes and brown spots on rays, except for 1st dorsal fin where brown pigmentation may extend in horizontal bands on fin membrane; according to Thys (1967), A. bustamantei has a darker back, more densely spotted with brown, and larger spots on the flanks compared to A. lateristriga; some specimens of A. bustamantei are more uniform dark grey compared to A. lateristriga, however A. lateristriga also shows intraspecific variation in body pigmentation, and some illustrated specimens of A. bustamantei are not significantly different from A. lateristriga (Ref. 79590).

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Analsoft rays: 10

Amphidromous freshwater species (Ref. 92840). The maximum size is 193 mm SL and 242 mm TL observed, but perhaps it can reach 264 mm TL (Ref. 79590).

fisheries:

Awaous bustamantei is a species of goby found in Africa.