Home · Gobiidae · Giant mudskipper
Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) — Gobiidae

Giant mudskipper

Periophthalmodon schlosseri
Family: Gobiidae
LC · Least Concern

The Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The giant mudskipper is the largest mudskipper (Gobiidae) and occurs in the mangroves and estuaries of Southeast Asia. The species reaches about 27 cm and has eyes set high on the head and muscular pectoral fins with which it 'walks' and jumps over the mud. It is amphibious and breathes air; at low tide on sunny days the fish leaves its mud burrow to forage on crabs, shrimps, insects and small fishes. The species is markedly territorial and defends its burrow fiercely. It tolerates fresh, brackish and salt water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant mudskipper?

The Giant mudskipper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Giant mudskipper live?

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

How big does the Giant mudskipper get?

The Giant mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 27 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Giant mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant mudskipper is harmless to humans.

Is the Giant mudskipper edible?

The Giant mudskipper is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzenslijkspringer sourced
English name
Giant mudskipper verified
Scientific name
Periophthalmodon schlosseri
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Giant mudskipper; Mudskipper; Pug-headed mud skipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Periophthalmodon

More from the family Gobiidae

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