Stellate tadpole-goby

The stellate tadpole-goby (Benthophilus stellatus) is a species of gobiid fish native to the basin of the Sea of Azov where it occurs in the Gulf of Taganrog and limans of the eastern coast. It also lives in the lower Don River up to the Tsimlyansk Reservoir. It occurs in fresh and brackish waters of depths greater than 3 m, preferring shallow coastal lagoons and lowland rivers. Males can reach a length of 13.5 cm TL while females only reach 11 cm TL.

The Caspian stellate tadpole-goby (Benthophilus leobergius) has been considered a subspecies of this species.