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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
Copyright ©
 
 
     

 

 
   
Marbled Goby or Soon Hock
   

A 20 cm specimen is well camouflaged at the bottom of a shallow stream, Singapore.
 

15 cm specimen in a brackish stream inlet, Pulau Sugi, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.
 

Family : ELEOTRIDIDAE
Species : Oxyeleotris marmorata
Maximum Length : 50 cm

References : F1

 

The Marble Goby is a large, solitary, slow-moving fish which rests undisturbed on the bottom of quiet streams, canals and lakes. It rarely moves, even when disturbed. It preys on other fish, which are oblivious to its presence.

It is best identified in the field by the large head, the symmetrical patterning on the dorsal surface and by the rounded, outstretched pectoral fins.

 
 

A full grown, 50 cm specimen in a quiet backwater of one of Singapore's inland reservoirs.

Know to millions of Southeast Asians as 'Soon Hock', it is considered good eating and is to be found in the live tanks of Chinese restaurants.

The Marbled Goby occurs in many parts of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.