Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Atlantic Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
Also called West African mudskipper, Periophthalmus koelreuteri (older name), Periophthalmus papilio (older name)
From Tropical West Africa, from Senegal or Mauritania south to Angola including offshore islands, on muddy tidal flats, lagoons and mangrove swamps123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Amphibious goby
A stocky goby with a large head and bulging eyes set high on top, giving it a frog-like face. Its muscular pectoral fins work like little crutches on land, and its pelvic fins act as a sucker. The body is brownish grey, plain or sprinkled with small white spots.23
Personality what they are like
Bold, alert and territorial. Males in particular defend their patch with displays, and the species tends to be greedy and enthusiastic at feeding time.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Spends much of its time out of the water, hopping across mud and sand, climbing onto roots and basking. It needs both a land area and a water area to behave naturally.231
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep warm and humid: about 25 to 30 C with brackish water around SG 1.005, pH 7.0 to 8.5 and hard water. A tight lid holds in humidity so the air stays as warm as the water, and a good filter handles its messy eating.21
Home where they are happiest
A paludarium-style tank of at least 120 x 30 x 30 cm (about 110 litres) for one fish, with exposed sandbanks or partly submerged bogwood so it can climb out of the water.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A carnivore that hunts crabs, insects and other small animals on the mud. Offer live worms, crickets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp; Seriously Fish advises against relying on dried food.132
Company who they like around
Usually kept as a single male, as they are territorial with their own kind; groups of five or more can work in very large setups. Can share with other brackish species such as archerfish or four-eyed fish but may eat small fish.2
The story where it all began
Linnaeus described the Atlantic mudskipper in 1766. It is the mudskipper of Africa's Atlantic coast, where it is also caught in small local fisheries, and it is available in the aquarium hobby as one of the best-known amphibious fish.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It keeps water in sealed gill chambers and also takes in oxygen through its skin, letting it breathe on land.3
- 2
It digs burrows that can reach about 1.5 metres deep, with trapped air pockets, for shelter and spawning.3
- 3
It builds low walls of mud around its territory.3
- 4
When feeding on land it uses a mouthful of water like a tongue to suck in prey.3
- 5
Its eyes sit high on the head and can swivel independently for an all-round view.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2019)1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Atlantic Mudskipper. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkBrackish fish need a little marine salt, and some need more as they growevery week
- Water changeAbout 25% of the water, mixed to the same salinityevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Periophthalmus barbarus, Atlantic mudskipper fishbase.seused for size, environment, temperature, distribution, IUCN status, diet, describer
- Seriously Fish: Periophthalmus barbarus seriouslyfish.comused for distribution, size, water parameters, tank setup, diet, compatibility
- Wikipedia: Atlantic mudskipper en.wikipedia.orgused for size, lifespan, appearance, breathing, burrows, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.