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Malacca mudskipper (Periophthalmus malaccensis) — Gobiidae

Malacca mudskipper

Periophthalmus malaccensis
Family: Gobiidae

The Malacca mudskipper (Periophthalmus malaccensis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

Description

The Malacca mudskipper is a mudskipper (Gobiidae) from tidal flats, mangroves and mud banks of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, brown-speckled body with bulging eyes set high on the head and strong pectoral fins with which it 'walks' over mud and can leap. At low tide it stays amphibious out of the water and breathes partly through its skin; it eats small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malacca mudskipper?

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

Where does the Malacca mudskipper live?

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

How big does the Malacca mudskipper get?

The Malacca mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Malacca mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Malacca mudskipper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Malakka-slijkspringer sourced
English name
Malacca mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Periophthalmus malaccensis
Family
Gobiidae

Appearance

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

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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Periophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

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