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Great blue spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris) — Gobiidae

Great blue spotted mudskipper

Boleophthalmus pectinirostris
Family: Gobiidae

The Great blue spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The great blue-spotted mudskipper is a mudskipper (Gobiidae, Oxudercinae) from East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate body with eyes set high on the head and blue speckles on the flanks and dorsal fin. It is an amphibious, air-breathing fish that shuttles back and forth on mud flats between tide pools and the air; it moves 'walking' over the mud with its pectoral fins. With its mouth it scrapes diatoms and algae from the mud surface. It is known in Asian cuisine. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Great blue spotted mudskipper?

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

Where does the Great blue spotted mudskipper live?

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

How big does the Great blue spotted mudskipper get?

The Great blue spotted mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Great blue spotted mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Great blue spotted mudskipper is harmless to humans.

Is the Great blue spotted mudskipper edible?

Yes, the Great blue spotted mudskipper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwgespikkelde slijkspringer sourced
English name
Great blue spotted mudskipper verified
Scientific name
Boleophthalmus pectinirostris
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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