Atlantic Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
Atlantic mudskippers are unique amphibious fish that can breathe air and “walk” on land. They have remarkable adaptations that allow them to move back and forth between water and land. They inhabit coastal areas in the intertidal zone. They are often studied for their relationship in the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water to land.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Atlantic Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least concern
CLIMATE CHANGE:
At the Aquarium
Harbor Terrace
Geographic Distribution
Atlantic mudskippers are found in brackish waters along coastal West and Central Africa from Senegal to Cameroon, the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, and lower Congo River in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Habitat
Mudskippers are found in tropical climates, soft mudflats, mangrove swamps, estuaries, and wetlands. They require humid conditions, shallow waters, and brackish to normal seawater.
Physical Characteristics
Mudskippers have large, close-set, googly eyes mounted on the top of their head. Their vision is adapted for both water and air. Their eyes are the only parts that stick out from the mud while they lie in wait for food. They roll their eyes down into small sacs of water underneath when they blink. The mouth is downwards for feeding on the mud surface. Pectoral fins are set forward and underneath the body. The pectoral and caudal fins (tail) are used to propel themselves on land and in water. Their brown, muddy colored skin blends well with their surroundings. The skin is resistant to disease and retains water, which allows them to stay on land for long periods. In males, the first dorsal fin is brown or black, longer, and slightly more curved than in females. Males can also sport colored spots during mating season. Different mudskipper species are distinguished by their body size and appearance, body color pattern, and the number of rays on each fin.
Size
Atlantic mudskippers range from 20 to 25 centimeters (approximately 8–10 inches).
Diet
Atlantic mudskippers are predominantly carnivorous. In the wild, their diet includes small crustaceans, worms, insects, diatoms, and algae.
Reproduction
Courtship occurs on land. Males raise and display their dorsal fins to attract a female. He then digs a deep burrow in the mud for the female to deposit her eggs, fertilizes the eggs, and guards them during the incubation period. Falling tides leave burrows filled with oxygen-poor water, so he carries mouthfuls of air to create a chamber of fresh air for the developing eggs. When the eggs are ready to hatch, he removes the air chamber, which then floods the burrow, and the young go out with the rising tide. The young float with other plankton in the open ocean for about 30 to 50 days, then the survivors return to the intertidal zone to establish territory.
Behavior
Atlantic mudskippers spend extended periods of time on land. They can stay active on land for several minutes for feeding, defense, or digging, even in very hot conditions. They use their strong pectoral fins and tail to “walk” in a style known as “crutching.” They are able to skip or jump as far as 60 centimeters (2 feet) in the air. They build mud-walls, which are about 1 meter (3 feet) high, to define their territories. They dig burrows that are up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) deep. The burrows help them to maintain body temperature and provide a defense for themselves and their eggs.
Adaptation
Various physical adaptations give these unique fish the ability to live comfortably in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Mudskippers have several ways of breathing and can even breathe in low oxygen conditions. They must have a humid environment, where they can absorb oxygen through the skin and mucus lining of the mouth and throat. Large gill chambers allow them to hold a bubble of air when they burrow. When on land, the gill chambers close tightly to keep in moisture to supply oxygen. Mudskippers can withstand big and fast changes in saline concentrations with the constantly changing tides. They have developed a high tolerance for ammonia in the environment by changes to the liver.
Longevity
Mudskippers can live up to five years.
Conservation
No conservation measures are currently in place, but mudskipper habitat is within easy reach of humans, and therefore subject to human impacts of habitat damage, destruction, coastal pollution, and overfishing. They are often studied as a bio-indicator of habitat health. Researchers have called for greater environmental protections which would directly affect mudskipper populations.
Special Notes
Mudskippers are air-breathing fish that can live for extended periods of time on land!
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Atlantic Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least concern
CLIMATE CHANGE:
Harbor Terrace
Atlantic mudskippers are found in brackish waters along coastal West and Central Africa from Senegal to Cameroon, the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, and lower Congo River in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mudskippers are found in tropical climates, soft mudflats, mangrove swamps, estuaries, and wetlands. They require humid conditions, shallow waters, and brackish to normal seawater.
Mudskippers have large, close-set, googly eyes mounted on the top of their head. Their vision is adapted for both water and air. Their eyes are the only parts that stick out from the mud while they lie in wait for food. They roll their eyes down into small sacs of water underneath when they blink. The mouth is downwards for feeding on the mud surface. Pectoral fins are set forward and underneath the body. The pectoral and caudal fins (tail) are used to propel themselves on land and in water. Their brown, muddy colored skin blends well with their surroundings. The skin is resistant to disease and retains water, which allows them to stay on land for long periods. In males, the first dorsal fin is brown or black, longer, and slightly more curved than in females. Males can also sport colored spots during mating season. Different mudskipper species are distinguished by their body size and appearance, body color pattern, and the number of rays on each fin.
Atlantic mudskippers range from 20 to 25 centimeters (approximately 8–10 inches).
Atlantic mudskippers are predominantly carnivorous. In the wild, their diet includes small crustaceans, worms, insects, diatoms, and algae.
Courtship occurs on land. Males raise and display their dorsal fins to attract a female. He then digs a deep burrow in the mud for the female to deposit her eggs, fertilizes the eggs, and guards them during the incubation period. Falling tides leave burrows filled with oxygen-poor water, so he carries mouthfuls of air to create a chamber of fresh air for the developing eggs. When the eggs are ready to hatch, he removes the air chamber, which then floods the burrow, and the young go out with the rising tide. The young float with other plankton in the open ocean for about 30 to 50 days, then the survivors return to the intertidal zone to establish territory.
Atlantic mudskippers spend extended periods of time on land. They can stay active on land for several minutes for feeding, defense, or digging, even in very hot conditions. They use their strong pectoral fins and tail to “walk” in a style known as “crutching.” They are able to skip or jump as far as 60 centimeters (2 feet) in the air. They build mud-walls, which are about 1 meter (3 feet) high, to define their territories. They dig burrows that are up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) deep. The burrows help them to maintain body temperature and provide a defense for themselves and their eggs.
Various physical adaptations give these unique fish the ability to live comfortably in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Mudskippers have several ways of breathing and can even breathe in low oxygen conditions. They must have a humid environment, where they can absorb oxygen through the skin and mucus lining of the mouth and throat. Large gill chambers allow them to hold a bubble of air when they burrow. When on land, the gill chambers close tightly to keep in moisture to supply oxygen. Mudskippers can withstand big and fast changes in saline concentrations with the constantly changing tides. They have developed a high tolerance for ammonia in the environment by changes to the liver.
Mudskippers can live up to five years.
No conservation measures are currently in place, but mudskipper habitat is within easy reach of humans, and therefore subject to human impacts of habitat damage, destruction, coastal pollution, and overfishing. They are often studied as a bio-indicator of habitat health. Researchers have called for greater environmental protections which would directly affect mudskipper populations.
Mudskippers are air-breathing fish that can live for extended periods of time on land!