Species: Cryptopsilotris batrachodes, Toadfish Goby

Cryptopsilotris batrachodes (Böhlke, 1963)

Toadfish Goby

Body slightly compressed; head rounded; a central fleshy low ridge on the snout between the nostrils; both nostrils tubular, rear shorter than front; no head pores; top jaw ends before middle of pupil; gill membranes broadly joined to body under throat, with 5 rays; dorsal fin VII (rarely V or VI), none elongate; + I, 8 (8-9); length of 2nd dorsal base > distance from 2nd dorsal base to tail fin; anal fin I, 6 (6-7); pectoral 16 (15-16); pelvic fins I,5, fins completely separate, lack frenum between front spines no membrane between innermost rays, rays 1-4 branched, without flattened or fleshy tips, reaching no further than half way to anus;tail fin rounded; no scales; no lateral line.

Nape & upper back mottled with dark spots; a dark brown bar between eyes & back to lower pectoral base; snout and lower cheeks dark spotted; pectoral with dark bar angled down edge of fin; each dorsal fin with two conspicuous dark vertical bars; pelvic fins clear; a strong, slightly V-shaped dark bar on base of tail fin.

Reaches 1.8 cm.

Habitat: found in coral habitats on sandy bottoms with small rubble.

Depth range: 1-55 m.

The Bahamas to the S Caribbean.