Puntang Goby

Mugilogobius puntang is a small to medium-sized brackish and estuarine goby distributed across Southeast Asia from Thailand and Malaysia through Indonesia and the Philippines, inhabiting mangrove-fringed tidal creeks, estuaries, and the lower reaches of coastal rivers. It is characterised by a broad, slightly flattened head, a compact body with earthy grey-brown to olive colouration, and subtle dark banding or blotching along the flanks that provides camouflage in murky tidal environments. This species is among the more adaptable gobies in terms of salinity tolerance, surviving across a broad range from freshwater to full marine. In the aquarium it is a hardy, undemanding species that accepts a wide range of foods. Males are mildly territorial toward conspecifics but rarely cause significant injury. It makes a good brackish community fish alongside mudskippers, archerfish, and other estuarine species when provided appropriate space.

Water: 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, GH 8–25, KH 4–15; wide salinity tolerance from fresh to brackish (SG 1.000–1.015). Tank: 80 L minimum; sandy or fine gravel substrate; provide rocks and mangrove-style hiding places; moderate flow. Feeding: Omnivore; sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and small pieces of mussel or prawn. Breeding: Cave or benthic spawner; limited captive breeding data available. Compatibility: Peaceful toward fish too large to eat; mildly territorial with conspecifics on the substrate.