Species learning profile
Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
Mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) is a brackish fish associated with mangrove habitat in Global. It spends much of its time out of water.
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Previously featured in Fishdle
At a glance
- Water
- Mixed fresh and salt water
- Habitat
- Mangrove
- Maximum length
- 25 cm
- Range
- Worldwide
- Family
- Gobiidae
- Order
- Gobiiformes
Observe
How to identify Mudskipper
- Brown or grey, often speckled.
- Bulging eyes on top of the head and fins used like little legs.
- Reported maximum length: 25 cm — roughly ruler-length. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with mangrove habitat across Global. Local depth, cover, temperature, oxygen, and food availability determine where it can thrive.
Behavior
Uses mangrove habitat for feeding, shelter, migration, or reproduction.
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
A species-specific mix of plant material, plankton, invertebrates, or other fish.
Ecological role
It occupies a distinct place in its food web as consumer, prey, or both..
Remember
One fact worth keeping
It spends much of its time out of water.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
Population health depends on intact habitat, clean water, and responsible harvest where fishing occurs.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Mudskipper in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections