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Freycinet's mudskipper (Periophthalmodon freycineti) — Gobiidae

Freycinet's mudskipper

Periophthalmodon freycineti
Family: Gobiidae

The Freycinet's mudskipper (Periophthalmodon freycineti) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 26 cm.

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

Description

The Freycinet's mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from muddy tidal flats, mangroves and estuaries of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown body with high-set, bulging eyes and muscular pectoral fins on which it 'walks' and skips across the exposed mud. At low tide it defends a territory and snaps at small crustaceans, insects and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freycinet's mudskipper?

The Freycinet's mudskipper has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Freycinet's mudskipper live?

The Freycinet's mudskipper lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Freycinet's mudskipper get?

The Freycinet's mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Freycinet's mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Freycinet's mudskipper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Freycinets slijkspringer sourced
English name
Freycinet's mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Periophthalmodon freycineti
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Great mud-hopper; Pug-headed mudskipper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish 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 Periophthalmodon

More from the family Gobiidae

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