Home · Gobiidae · Blue-spotted mudskipper
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae

Blue-spotted mudskipper

Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus
Family: Gobiidae

The Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Blue-spotted mudskipper?

Description

The blue-spotted mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from tidal and mangrove areas of northern Australia and adjacent New Guinea. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate, brown-grey body with numerous light-blue spots and high-set eyes. At low tide it crawls over the exposed mud and scrapes diatoms and algae with its mouth; it breathes air through skin and gill cavity and defends a territory. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-spotted mudskipper?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blue-spotted mudskipper live?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Blue-spotted mudskipper get?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Blue-spotted mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-spotted mudskipper is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Simon Tonge (CC0)
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 4
J.E. Randall (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) George Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))

Want the complete picture on the Blue-spotted mudskipper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue-spotted mudskipper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Blue-spotted mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Bluespotted mudskipper; Goggle-eyed; Blue-spotted mud-hopper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material
Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Boleophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

Want the complete picture on the Blue-spotted mudskipper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue-spotted mudskipper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Blue-spotted mudskipper?