FaunaHub

Mudskipper (e.g. Periophthalmus)

FishAmphibiousIntertidal

A mudskipper (Periophthalmus) resting on mud out of the water.

Mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus).

Image: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Mudskippers are remarkable amphibious fish — gobies that spend much of their lives out of the water on tropical and subtropical mudflats. They “walk” and skip across the mud using their muscular front fins, breathe partly through their skin and the lining of the mouth and gill chambers, and have high-set, mobile eyes for spotting prey and danger above the surface. The reference shown here is a Periophthalmus mudskipper.

Few animals show the transition between water and land as vividly as a mudskipper, which is fully a fish yet thrives on exposed mud at low tide.

Note: there are many mudskipper species with different habits; treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Mudskippers live in intertidal habitats — mudflats, mangrove forests, and estuaries — across the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia. They occupy the zone that is alternately covered and exposed by the tide, and many dig burrows in the mud for shelter and breeding.

Diet

Depending on the species, mudskippers eat small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms, while some graze on algae and detritus on the mud surface. They feed at low tide on the exposed flats, snapping up prey or scooping mud.

Behavior

Out of water, a mudskipper keeps its skin and gill chambers moist to breathe, returning to water or wet mud to re-wet itself. It moves by pushing with its pectoral fins (and can skip in quick hops), and defends territories around its burrow, sometimes with displays of its raised dorsal fin. Burrows also shelter eggs and provide refuge from heat, predators, and the changing tide.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Mudskippers are a striking part of mangrove and mudflat ecosystems and are popular subjects for nature watchers and photographers. They depend on healthy intertidal habitats, so mangrove loss and coastal pollution are the main concerns. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific status.

More photos of the mudskipper

A mudskipper propped on its pectoral fins on a mudflat.

Silver-lined mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus).

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Mudskipper

How can a mudskipper survive out of water?
Mudskippers breathe in air by keeping their skin and the linings of their mouth and gill chambers moist, absorbing oxygen through them. They periodically return to water or wet mud to re-wet these surfaces, which lets them spend long periods on land at low tide.
How do mudskippers move on land?
They use their muscular pectoral (front) fins like little limbs to crutch and pull themselves across the mud, and they can also flick the body to skip in quick hops — which is how they got the name "mudskipper."
Are mudskippers really fish?
Yes — they are true fish, specifically gobies. Despite spending much of their time out of water and walking on their fins, they have gills, fins, and the other features of fish; they are simply highly adapted to an amphibious, intertidal life.
Why do mudskippers have bulging eyes on top of the head?
Their high-set, mobile eyes give a wide field of view above the mud and water surface, helping them watch for prey, rivals, and predators while their body stays low. They can also retract the eyes briefly to keep them moist.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.