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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Gobiidae
Head-stripe lagoon-goby
Amblygobius stethophthalmus
Family Gobiidae
updated Sep 2020

Where seen? These colourfully, rather large gobies are often seen on our shores with coral rubble and reefs. Sometimes seen in pairs. On good reefs, they can be found in large numbers especially at night. Elsewhere found in estuaries and lagoons, on shallow sand-rubble. It makes its burrow under solid objects and is usually found hovering close to the ground. It was previously known as Amblygobius bynoensis.

Features: 6-8cm long. It is among the more colourful of the larger gobies encountered in our shallow waters. There are dark freckles as well as bright spots and markings on its head. On the side of the body, it has a dark stripe edged with iridescent blue through the eye to just past the gill cover (not easily seen when viewing the fish from above).

Sometimes seen in pairs.
Pulau Pawai, Dec 09

Sisters Island, Aug 12
What does it eat? It picks off algae. And also filters mouthfuls of sand for small animals.

This one was in a burrow occupied by a snapping shrimp, but this may be just a coincidence.
Sentosa, Jun 07

Flashing display!
Chek Jawa, Aug 02

Head-stripe gobies on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Sentosa Serapong, May 16
Photo shared by Ivan Kwan on facebook.
 


St John's Island, Dec 16
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

St John's Island, Aug 23
Photo shared by James Koh on facebook.


Big Sisters Island, Sep 20
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.


Terumbu Hantu, Jul 20
Photo shared by Dayna Cheah on facebook.

Cyrene Reef, Aug 10
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

Pulau Semakau, Feb 08
Photo shared by Dai Jiao on her flickr.


Pulau Semakau (West), Jan 21
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.

Terumbu Raya, May 22
Photo shared by Che Cheng Neo on facebook.


Terumbu Bemban, Apr 11
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Terumbu Raya, Mar 09
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

Links
References
  • Larson, Helen K and Kelvin K. P. Lim. 2005. A Guide to Gobies of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 164pp.
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