Animal Profiles
Fish

Mudskipper

Oxudercidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Mudskippers are fishes that can move and feed on exposed mud. This account describes the Atlantic mudskipper, an amphibious inhabitant of West African estuaries and mangrove margins.

Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus), the representative described here.

Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus), the representative described here.

Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Periophthalmus barbarus is the representative used here. Its established range follows the West African coast. The source flags several distant records as uncertain, so they are not used to expand the continent filters.
Habitat
Coast, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Adults search exposed mud for crabs, insects and other small animals, with plant material also recorded.

Classification

Common name
Mudskipper
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Oxudercidae
Taxon rank
family
Family
Oxudercidae
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It can breathe air.
  • It moves over exposed mud.
  • It spawns in burrows.

Habitat and range

Periophthalmus barbarus is the representative used here. Its established range follows the West African coast. The source flags several distant records as uncertain, so they are not used to expand the continent filters.

Appearance and adaptations

Prominent eyes project above the head, and the pectoral fins help support movement on mud. Air breathing allows the fish to remain active outside the water while conditions stay suitable.

Diet and behaviour

Adults search exposed mud for crabs, insects and other small animals, with plant material also recorded. They make burrows used in reproduction. Coastal mudflats link their aquatic and exposed feeding areas.

Sources

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