CONTENTS
Flora index
Fauna index
guide to the mangroves of singapore
Vertebrates: Fish
Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi (editors)
  Gobies
Family Gobiidae

Among the fishes, the family Gobiidae are the most diverse and are often very abundant. About 90 species are present in Singapore, over 40 of these are found in mangroves. Gobies are often recognised by their cylindrical bodies, two dorsal fins, pectoral fins with broad base and rounded heads. Many species also have their pelvic fins united to form a disc.
close-up of grey knight goby
Grey knight goby
Stigmatogobius sadanundio
Size: up to 8 cm
The Grey knight goby has a long first dorsal fin and black spots on the side of the body.

close-up of javanese fatnose goby Javanese fatnose goby
Pseudogobius javanicus
Size: up to 4.5 cm

close-up of common mullet goby Common mullet goby
Hemigobius hoevenii
Size: up to 6 cm
The Javanese fatnose goby and the Common mullet goby appear to be the most abundant species in the mangrove.

close-up of blue-eyed goby Blue-eyed goby
Hemigobius melanurus
Size: up to 7 cm
In leaf-filled pools, the Blue-eyed mullet goby may be seen hovering in midwater. It rushes for cover when approached.

close-up of glass goby Glass goby
Gobiopetrus birtwistlei
Size: up to over 2 cm
The tiny Glass goby with its almost transparent body and large mouth, occurs in tidal streams and pools.
close-up of bumble bee goby Bumblebee goby
Brachygobius kabillensis
Size: up to 2 cm
Also found in pools, the similar-sized Bumblebee goby is distinctively banded brown and yellow like its insect namesake.

close-up of mangrove flathead gudgeon Mangrove flathead gudgeon
Butis butis
Size: up to 14 cm
The conical snout and underslung lower jaw suggests the predatory nature of the Mangrove flathead gudgeon. It conceals itself by lying still against mangrove roots and other similarly-coloured surfaces, and ambushes unsuspecting prey that wander too close.

Snakehead gudgeon
Ophiocara porocephala
Size: up to 32 cm
The Snakehead gudgeon is a large predatory species that is common in mangroves.

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What is mangrove?
Introduction

The Ecosystem
Abiotic
Biotic

Value
Intro
Products
Indirect uses
Potential uses

About Mangroves
in Singapore
History
Mangroves to visit
Conservation
 
From "A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore", Peter K. L. Ng and N. Sivasothi (editors)
Volume 1: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity and Volume 2: Animal Diversity
Authors: Kelvin K. P. Lim, Dennis H. Murphy, T. Morgany, N. Sivasothi, Peter K. L. Ng,
B. C. Soong, Hugh T. W. Tan, K. S. Tan & T. K. Tan
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre, sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2001 Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre