Durban Tonguefish

Upper side of body and fins pale brownish with dark spots and blotches; 2 lateral lines on eyed side, none on blind side (Ref. 4418).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 98 - 105; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 78 - 84

Enters brackish waters. Feeds on small invertebrates.

Enters brackish waters (Ref. 6805). Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 5213).

Cynoglossus durbanensis Regan

Cynoglossus durbanensis Regan, 1921a:2 [type-locality: Durban, South Africa].—Bonde. 1922:25.—Barnard, 1925: 412.—Smith, 1949:165.

DESCRIPTION.—Based on 7 specimens, 88.5–182.0 mm SL, including the lectotype and paralectotype of C. durbanensis.

Depth of body, 25.82–30.88 (M = 28.31), length of head 17.43–20.90 (M = 18.95) percent of standard length. Diameter of eye 8.20–10.87 (M = 9.78), interorbital space 6.38–10.81 (M = 8.67) percent of length of head. Two nostrils on ocular side, anterior nostril tubular, in front of lower eye, posterior nostril simple, in front of interorbital space. Snout obtusely rounded, 23.40–33.96 (M = 30.20) percent of length of head, rostral hook short, ends in front of anterior nostril. Maxillary extending to below posterior half of fixed eye; angle of mouth extending below vertical from middle or posterior half of fixed eye, nearer to tip of snout than to branchial opening; tip of snout to angle of mouth 40.43–49.06 (M = 43.70), angle of mouth to branchial opening 55.32–63.04 (M = 58.11) percent of length of head.

Scales: Ctenoid on both sides, including those of lateral lines.

Lateral-Line System: Two lateral lines on ocular side, dorsolateral line usually entering dorsal fin along 3rd–5th ray counted from the rear, midlateral line with 90–106 (M = 99) scales, 18–21 (M = 20) scales between them. No lateral line on blind side.

Interlinear scale rows 18 19 20 21

Frequencies 1 1 4 1

Fins: Dorsal with 98–105 (M = 102) rays, anal with 78–84 (M = 81) rays, caudal 8(9) in 5 specimens (radiographs).

Vertebrae: 48–50, comprising 9 abdominal and 39–41 caudal elements in 5 specimens (radiographs).

Coloration: Light brownish with darker irregular blotches and dots in preserved material.

Size: Largest specimen examined (lectotype) is 184 (170 + 14) mm from Durban.

DISTRIBUTION.—Africa (Natal to Zanzibar).

DIAGNOSIS AND

Cynoglossus durbanensis, commonly known as the Durban tonguesole is a species of tonguefish. It is commonly found in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa.

Enters brackish waters (Ref. 6805). Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 5213).