Roux's Dwarf Goby (Pandaka rouxi)

Roux's Dwarf Goby (Pandaka rouxi)

A lone Roux's Dwarf Goby seen in Pasir Ris Park.

Family: Oxudercidae: Gobionellinae

Species Name(s): Pandaka rouxi
Common Name(s): Roux's Dwarf Goby, Roux's Pygmy Goby

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Brackish. Mangrove creeks and pools.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Red Data Book 3)

This is one of our smallest native fishes! They are only rivalled by glass gobies in the genus Gobiopterus. The largest known individual reached a length of 1.8cm but they usually average out at just 1cm. They can be found freely swimming in mangrove creeks and pools, where their salinity preference is brackish.

They are closely related to bumblebee gobies of the genus Brachygobius and are also similiar in appearance. They are definitely smaller however, with incomplete stripes and blots alongside an mostly orange dorsal fin. At this size, they usually feed on zooplankton.

They are occasionally available in the aquarium trade as an interesting choice for nano aquariums. They do not live long in freshwater. 

A mix of Kabili Bumblebee Gobies, Glass Gobies and a lone Roux's Dwarf Goby circled in blue.

References

• Aquarium Glaser GmbH. Pandaka rouxi – (dwarf goby). Retrieved from https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/25-perchlike-fishes/pandaka-rouxi-2/
• National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.

Blue-eyed Mullet-goby (Hemigobius melanurus)

 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

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.

*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

Banded Mullet-goby (Hemigobius hoevenii)

Banded Mullet-goby (Hemigobius hoevenii)

A male Banded Mullet-goby foraging in a mangrove pool. (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve)

Family: Oxudercidae: Gobionellinae

Species Name: Hemigobius hoevenii
Common Name(s): Banded Mullet-goby

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Brackish but also inhabits freshwater. Mangrove creeks and pools.
Conservation status: Least Concern (Red Data Book 3)

A common species seen in our mangroves! The Banded Mullet-goby is recognizable by its slanting bands and the presence of an ocellus on both sides of the peduncle. Males appear to have orange dorsal and caudal fins, while the females' possess a mix of white-yellow and black. The margins of the dorsal fins are never white, which helps to separate it from other mangrove gobies. It is a small species, growing to a maximum length of 6cm but the average individual is half that size.

As with most mangrove gobies, it is found in creeks and pools left behind during low tide. It can also be seen inhabiting the burrows of other animals such as large mudskippers. It can live in varying salinities between fresh and brackish water. They forage by sifting through sediment or opportunistically catching prey such as small invertebrates. 

Typical Banded Mullet-goby individual at night. (Pasir Ris)

A (supposedly) female Banded Mullet-goby. Note the ocellus on the peduncle and slanting bands. (Pasir Ris)

References

• FishBase. Hemigobius hoevenii (Bleeker, 1851) – (Banded mulletgoby). Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemigobius-hoevenii.html
• 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.

Kabili Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius kabiliensis)

Kabili Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius kabiliensis)

One of several Kabili Bumblebee Gobies found in an isolated mangrove pool during low tide. (Admiralty Park)

Family: Oxudercidae: Gobionellinae

Species Name: Brachygobius kabiliensis
Common Name(s): Kabili Bumblebee Goby, Mangrove Bumblebee Goby

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Brackish but can also be found in freshwater. Mangrove creeks and pools.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Red Data Book 3)

Bumblebee Gobies are popular in the aquarium trade due to their small sizes and big personalities, partnered with attractive patterning that give them the name! The Kabili Bumblebee Goby is likely to be the only native Brachygobius species found in Singapore, where they are common throughout the mangrove swamps. It is definitely easier to see them during low tide in pools and creeks, or even the burrows of other animals such as Giant Mudskippers (Periophthalmodon schlosseri).

"Easier to see" might be an overstatement from the raised trails and boardwalks of our local mangroves. The Kabili Bumblebee Goby is tiny, growing up to a maximum length of only under 2cm. It looks similar to other Brachygobius but has noticeably more bands and a smaller size. It is observed that the colouration and patterning is variable in intensity. In Singapore, Brachygobius sabanus and B.doriae are considered to be introduced but don't seem to mix with the featured native.

Like its relatives, the Kabili Bumblebee Goby is a predator of small invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans. They are often seen either sticking to the substrate and other surfaces, or "hovering" in the water column.

Several Kabili Bumblebee Gobies from Pasir Ris showing more solid bands and a brighter yellow! (Photograph by: Lumin Ong Jun Xiang)

A mangrove goby community in the burrow of a Giant Mudskipper. Kabili Bumblebee Gobies  make up half the picture! (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve)

References

• FishBase. Brachygobius kabiliensis (Fowler, 1937) – (Kabili bumblebee goby). Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/25067
• 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.
• Lim, K. K. P., & Tan, H. H. 2012. Addition of fish species to the established alien fauna of Singapore: Amblypharyngodon chulabhornnae and Brachygobius sabanus. Nature in Singapore 5: 69–72. Retrieved from https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2017/06/2012nis069-072.pdf
• National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.

Elongate Mudskipper (Pseudapocryptes elongatus)

Elongate Mudskipper (Pseudapocryptes elongatus)

An adult Elongate Mudskipper found in a back mangrove creek.

Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)

Species Name: Pseudapocryptes elongatus
Common Name(s): Elongate Mudskipper

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Mangrove forest creeks down to mudflats.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)

This is one of the lesser encountered mudskipper species in Singapore. This is a long species as evident by its common name, reaching up to a maximum length of 24cm. The Elongate Mudskipper has well-proportioned fins which aren't flashy like its relatives. Both juveniles and adults have varying levels of slanted stripes on a greenish-brown/grey body. While they have been recorded living down in the mudflats, sightings of them in Singapore seem to be limited to back mangrove creeks such as in Pulau Ubin, where they're most often seen. In 2024, juveniles of the Elongate Mudskipper were found to be living in the open breakwater of Marina East by us, where they have burrows in the muddy pools present. With adults being sighted before in the same area, it is a surprising habitat considering their preferences but they seem to be thriving.

Elongate Mudskippers are omnivorous, feeding on algae and small invertebrates such as worms. As mentioned in (Polgar, 2013), they have a few feeding styles such as sifting (like the Bearded Mudskipper), scraping (like the Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper) and pump-suspension feeding where they inhale suspended particles. This species is the most aquatic of all mudskippers seen reliably in Singapore, preferring to sit under water with only its eyes breaching the surface. 

A juvenile Elongate Mudskipper from Marina East. (Photograph by: Jiayuan Lin)

A juvenile Elongate Mudskipper which without Jiayuan's side shot, it might've been impossible to ID.

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfArKeBzsVE&ab_channel=SGfishesabovewater



References

• FishBase. Pseudapocryptes elongatus Cuvier, 1816 – (Mudskipper). Retrieved from https://fishbase.se/summary/Pseudapocryptes-elongatus
• 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.
• Ong JXL, Tay JX & JY Lin (2025) Biodiversity Record: Elongate mudskippers, Pseudapocryptes elongatus, at Marina East. Nature in Singapore, 18: e2025010. DOI: 10.26107/NIS-2025-0010
• Polgar, G. Gobiidae: Oxudercinae – Pseudapocryptes elongatus Cuvier, 1816. Retrieved from http://www.mudskipper.it/SpeciesPages/elon.html 

Bearded Mudskipper (Scartelaos histophorus)

Bearded Mudskipper (Scartelaos histophorus)

A mated pair of Bearded Mudskippers.

Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)

Species Name: Scartelaos histophorus
Common Name(s): Bearded Mudskipper, Walking Goby

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Open mudflats and creek banks.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)

One of Singapore's lesser encountered mudskippers due to its habitat preference. The Bearded Mudskipper is easily recognized by its elongated body shape which can reach up to 14cm in length. It is overall grey with sparse black dots. The first dorsal fin is very tall and it is raised in territorial displays as with all mudskippers. The unique feature about this species is that it has barbels below its head, resulting in the common name.

The Bearded Mudskipper is mostly encountered on open mudflats where the mud is sticky and one can sink in it to varying levels. They can also be encountered further upstream along creek banks but larger individuals are further out to sea. Similar to the Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper, they only appear during low tide and hide in their burrows where there is an air pocket during high tide. This species is omnivorous and it feeds by sifting through the mud, running it through its gills and expelling the sediment. It feeds on tiny organisms such as algae, crustaceans and worms.

They are known for their impressive displays where the male leaps into the air but keeps its tail on the ground, making it seem like it is standing up! If a female is interested, they share a burrow together. It appears that juveniles are not as elongated and have the normal mudskipper proportions.

A Bearded Mudskipper sifting through the mud for food.

A small Bearded Mudskipper that has just emerged from its burrow.

YouTube videos

• Passive behaviour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWEUVAqJFzw&ab_channel=SGfishesabovewater
• Burrow emergence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MdIDaMvDUs&ab_channel=SGfishesabovewater

References

• FishBase. Scartelaos histophorus Valenciennes, 1837 – (Walking goby). Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Scartelaos-histophorus.html
• 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.

Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper (Boleophthalmus boddarti)

Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper (Boleophthalmus boddarti)

A mature Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper flaring its fins

Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)

Species Name: Boleophthalmus boddarti
Common Name(s): Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper, Boddart's Goggle-eyed Goby, Blue-spotted Mudskipper

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Open mudflats near and beyond the mangrove roots.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)

This genus of large mudskippers are unmistakable for they are commonly filmed for documentaries due to their range of behaviours. The Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper can reach a maximum recorded length of 22cm and can be separated from other blue-spotted mudskippers via its slanting black stripes. As its name suggests, both the sides of the body and fins are covered in blue spots. Their dorsal fins are impressive with long, filamentous spines.

A small Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper found in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

The Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper lives out on the open mudflats that are revealed during low tide beyond the mangrove trees. Larger individuals are found further out than smaller individuals, which reside closer to the trees. During high tide, this species hide in their burrows where there is an air pocket inside. 

This mudskipper has a stocky build which it smoothly drags across the mudflats it calls home. Its large mouth appears to be more for burrowing and fighting rather than capturing prey, for it leads a herbivorous and detritivorous lifestyle. To feed, they skim the mud by moving their heads side to side, scraping up the microbes present on the surface such as algae.

Males put on a beautiful display by jumping into the air with fins fully flared, in hopes of attracting a female. If a female is interested, they enter the burrow together to mate. Very small juveniles are pinkish (see Ong & Tay, 2024). 

Mudskippers roll on their sides to keep themselves moist!

A juvenile Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper.

Emerging from its burrow. It has two entrances!

References

• FishBase. Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas, 1770) – (Boddart's goggle-eyed goby). Retrieved from https://fishbase.se/summary/4901
• 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.
• Ong JXL & Tay JX (2024) Biodiversity Record: Fish fauna of a mangrove tide pool at Sungei Buloh. Nature in Singapore, 17: e2024056. DOI: 10.26107/NIS-2024-0056