Order : Perciformes
Family : GOBIIDAE
Species : Glossogobius aureus
Maximum Length : 27 cm

This species occurs in both brackish, tidal inlets, generally with gravelly or sandy substrates, and upstream in fresh water.

The body is elongate and 'torpedo' shaped, with a large, flattened head,  moderately large eyes and an upwardly turned mouth. Its background colour is pale brown, and the flanks are patterned with dark, mottled patches.

The species is carnivorous feeding on insect larvae, prawns and small, aquatic vertebrates.

The Golden Flat-head Goby ranges from South Africa through parts of Asia, including Taiwan, Japan, Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, through parts of Indonesia to northern Australia.

Fig 1 : Specimen from Singapore in a a tidal, concrete-lined drainage channel.

Fig 2 : Specimen from Langkawi, northern Peninsular Malaysia, in the lowland section of a clear, forest stream.


References :

Larson, H.K. and Lim, K.P. 1997. A Guide to Gobies of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.