Benthophilus Eichwald, 1831
Sub-orbital papillae with transverse rows separated into upper and lower regions, 3 from rear eye, and rest, with 4 before and 2 below row b, at level of jaw angle. No row a. Median preorbital and inter-orbital areas with 6 transverse rows ( po-s). No head canals. Anterior nostril tubular, over upper lip, lacking rim process. Chin with barbel. Pectoral fin uppermost rays within membrane. Pelvic disc complete, short, rounded. First dorsal rays II-IV. Scales absent, head and body with spinulose bony platelets and granules; adult males naked. Vertebrae 28.
Habitat: freshwater, in muddy reaches of rivers, and brackish water, sand and shell debris. Food: molluscs, crustaceans, insect larvae, small fishes. Reproduction: May-June (Sea of Azov); fecundity 700-2,500 at 5.5-8.5 cm SL.
Distribution: Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian rivers and estuaries.
Species: 14; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revision: Pinchuk and Rahimov (1979; key to species).
Species of this genus in the program:
Benthophilus stellatus