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Gangetic mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dussumieri) — Gobiidae

Gangetic mudskipper

Boleophthalmus dussumieri
Family: Gobiidae

The Gangetic mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dussumieri) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.7 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Gangetic mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from tidal and mangrove areas of the northern Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The species grows to about 19 cm and has an elongate, blue-grey speckled body with high-set, bulging eyes. At low tide it crawls and skips over the exposed mud with its pectoral fins, breathes air through its skin and grazes diatoms and algae from the mud. It digs burrows as shelter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gangetic mudskipper?

The Gangetic mudskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Gangetic mudskipper live?

The Gangetic mudskipper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Gangetic mudskipper get?

The Gangetic mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Gangetic mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Gangetic mudskipper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dussumiers slijkspringer sourced
English name
Gangetic mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Boleophthalmus dussumieri
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Mud skipper sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Boleophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

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