The granular pugolovka (Benthophilus granulosus) is a species of gobiid fish widespread in the Caspian Sea. Pugolovka is a Ukrainian word for tadpole. Benthophilus granulosus is a subspecies of the Goby family, however they are identified as a subspecies due to the lacking of a swim bladder. Another characteristic used to identify Benthophilus granulosus as a subspecies is the location of the dorsal fins which is talked about later in the description section.