All fish / Oxudercidae

Atlantic Mudskipper

Periophthalmus barbarus

Also known as mudskipper, west african mudskipper, african mudskipper, common mudskipper, atlantic mud skipper, mud skipper, ปลาตีน, ikan belacak, トビハゼ, ikan glodok, 大西洋弹涂鱼, 弹涂鱼

This amphibious goby has bulging eyes set high on its head and a grey-brown body flecked with blue spots, with bright blue-edged dorsal fins it raises when displaying. Keepers love watching it skip across mud and climb roots out of the water, breathing air through its moist skin and gill chambers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Single male or one male with several females in a large setup

Diet

Carnivore: bloodworms, brine shrimp, small crickets, mysis and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

West Africa, Senegal to Angola, plus Gulf of Guinea islands

Breeding

In the wild males dig mud burrows where eggs are laid and guarded in an air pocket. Captive breeding is very rarely achieved because the tidal mudflat conditions are hard to recreate.

Good to know

Although often sold as a freshwater fish, it needs brackish water and a large land area, and will die if kept fully submerged. Males are territorial and will fight, and a tight lid is essential as they climb and jump.