Small Spine Tadpole Goby

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: strongly depressed head; a tubercle between eyes; numerous, densely-set granules covering whole body except abdominal area; small tubercles especially on head; tubercles in dorsal row 26-29, ventral row 21-24, upper lateral row up to 20 (smaller on caudal peduncle), in lower one 10 and are tiny; chin barbel slightly compressed with thick base, longer than half eye diameter; D1 IV; origin of D2 behind anal origin; transverse rows of neuromasts on flank usually 20-22; a dark spot often in front of D2; sides with dark blotches and irregular dots (Ref. 59043).

Females probably lay eggs in 2-3portions (Ref. 59043).

Occurs in fresh and brackish waters with salinity up to 13 ppt. Maximum depth 50 m, with mature adults at 1-11 m. Lives for about a year, spawns in May-August in northern Caspian, April-November in eastern Caspian. Some individuals may spawn for the first time at 6-7 months. Females probably lay eggs in 3 portions and die after spawning while males probably die 3-4 weeks alter (Ref. 59043).

The small-spine tadpole-goby (Benthophilus mahmudbejovi) is a species of goby, a small fish native to the eastern coasts of the Caspian Sea and the lower reaches of the Volga River up to Volgograd. In the sea it is recorded from the Cape Peschany to the Çeleken Peninsula and Ogurja Ada Island in the south. It is abundant the Volga River delta. This species can be found at depths down to 50 metres (160 ft) although the adults generally are not found deeper than 11 metres (36 ft). This species can reach a length of 6.6 centimetres (2.6 in) TL. The specific name honours the Azerbaijani ichthyologist A. A. Mahmudbekov, studied the fish of the Caspian Sea for much of his life.