Blue-eyed Mullet-goby (Hemigobius melanurus)
 |
| A mature Blue-eyed Mullet-goby found in a mangrove pool in Admiralty Park. |
Family: Oxudercidae: Gobionellinae
Species Name(s): Hemigobius melanurus, Hemigobius mingi
Common Name(s): Blue-eyed Mullet-goby, Banded Goby
Common Name(s): Blue-eyed Mullet-goby, Banded Goby
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Brackish but also inhabits freshwater. Mangrove creeks and pools.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Red Data Book 3)
The Blue-eyed Mullet-goby is common in our mangrove forests, being found easiest in creeks and pools revealed during low tide. It makes itself rather visible by hanging out near the surface, staring at the sky like it's in a daze. It seems to prefer living in the back half of the mangroves, where the salinity is a closer to freshwater but is adaptable like most estuarine gobies.
Mature individuals have a unique dirty brown with bands that fade past halfway down the body. Juveniles can be confused for bumblebee gobies in the genus Brachygobius, but have possess more bands which are thinner and also orange dorsal fins. This goby has been observed grazing on surfaces but are also known to be opportunistic feeders on small invertebrates.
Habitat: Brackish but also inhabits freshwater. Mangrove creeks and pools.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Red Data Book 3)
The Blue-eyed Mullet-goby is common in our mangrove forests, being found easiest in creeks and pools revealed during low tide. It makes itself rather visible by hanging out near the surface, staring at the sky like it's in a daze. It seems to prefer living in the back half of the mangroves, where the salinity is a closer to freshwater but is adaptable like most estuarine gobies.
Mature individuals have a unique dirty brown with bands that fade past halfway down the body. Juveniles can be confused for bumblebee gobies in the genus Brachygobius, but have possess more bands which are thinner and also orange dorsal fins. This goby has been observed grazing on surfaces but are also known to be opportunistic feeders on small invertebrates.
*It is noted that Hemigobius melanurus is synonymous with Hemigobius mingi.
 |
| A mature Blue-eyed Mullet-goby grazing on a mangrove root, offering a lateral view. |
 |
| A juvenile Blue-eyed Mullet-goby displaying behaviour typical of this species - staring at the sky. |
References
- Larson, H. K. (1999). A Review of the Mangrove Goby Genus Hemigobius (Gobioidei, Gobiidae, Gobionellinae). The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, 15, 23–42. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354335932_A_Review_of_the_Mangrove_Goby_Genus_Hemigoius_Gobioidei_Gobiidae_Gobionellinae
- Lim, K.K.P. & Low, J.K.Y. 1998. A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, 163 pp. ISBN 981-00-9904-5.
- National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Hemigobius melanurus (Bleeker, 1849). Retrieved from https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=314573
No comments:
Post a Comment