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It’s hard to even imagine that this living creature belongs to fish, since the mudskipper looks more like a bug-eyed toad with a large square mouth or a lizard that lacks hind legs.
Mudskipper description
The jumper is not difficult to recognize by its relatively large head, which indicates the relationship of the fish with the goby family. Within this family, mudskippers represent their own genus, “Periophthalmus”. The West African or common mudskipper is known to aquarists as it is the most commonly traded species and is the largest of its kind. Adult specimens of this species have two dorsal fins, decorated with a bright blue stripe along the edges of the fins and are able to grow up to almost 2 and a half tens of centimeters.
In nature, there are also the smallest representatives of this genus. These are the so-called Indian or dwarf jumpers, which reach a length of no more than 5 cm. Individuals of this species are distinguished by yellow dorsal fins bordered with a black stripe, while the fins are dotted with red-white spots. As a rule, on the first dorsal fin you can see a large spot, orange in color.
Appearance
The mudskipper is a unique creature that gives a person mixed feelings. What feeling can a creature with bulging eyes, the viewing angle of which is about 180 degrees, be able to evoke? The eyes not only rotate like a submarine’s periscope, but are retracted into the eye sockets from time to time. For those people who do not know anything about this fish and have no idea what it looks like, the appearance of a jumper in their field of vision can cause fear. Moreover, this species has a simply huge head.
The mudskipper can swim up to the shore and climb out onto the shore, deftly moving with reliable pectoral fins and helping with the tail. The first thing that comes to mind is that the fish is partially paralyzed, since only the front part of the body works for it.
The long dorsal fin is involved in the movement of fish in the water column, but powerful pectoral fins are included in the work on land. Thanks to the powerful tail, which helps the jumper to move on land, the fish is able to jump out of the water to a considerable height.
Interesting to know! Mudskippers are more similar in structure and body functions to amphibians. At the same time, breathing with the help of gills, as well as the presence of fins, indicates the fact that this is a fish.
Due to the fact that the mudskipper can receive oxygen through the skin, it can easily breathe on land. When the jumper leaves the water, the gills close tightly, otherwise they may dry out.
The volumetric part of the jumper serves to keep a certain volume of water in the mouth for some time, which helps to maintain the desired oxygen concentration. The body of the jumper is distinguished by a gray-olive hue, and the abdomen is always light, almost silvery. The body is also decorated with numerous stripes or dots, and a skin fold is located above the upper lip.
Lifestyle, behavior
The mudskipper is a unique representative of the underwater world that is able to exist both in the water column and out of the water, on land. There is a lot of mucus on the body of the mudskipper, like a frog, so the fish is able to stay on land for a long time. When the jumper, as it were, bathes in the mud, he is engaged in wetting the skin.
Moving in the water column, and especially on its surface, the fish raises its head along with its eyes in the form of periscopes, and examines everything around. In case of high tide, the jumper tries to burrow into the silt or hides in holes, maintaining the optimal body temperature. When the jumper is in the water, he uses his gills for breathing. After low tide, they crawl out of their shelters and begin to crawl along the bottom of a reservoir freed from water. When a fish decides to crawl ashore, it captures and holds a certain amount of water in its mouth, which helps wet the gills.
Interesting fact! When jumpers crawl out onto land, their hearing and vision become more acute, which helps to see potential prey, as well as hear it. Plunging into the water, the jumper’s vision drops significantly, and he becomes short-sighted.
Mudskippers are considered insufferable brawlers, as they quite often sort things out among themselves and organize brawls on the shore, defending their territory. At the same time, it is noted that the representatives of the species “Periophthalmus barbarus” are the most brawlers.
Because of this fact, it is not possible to keep this species in an aquarium in groups, but it is necessary to settle them in separate aquariums.
Oddly enough, but the mudskipper is able to move on vertical surfaces. He easily climbs trees, while relying on hard front fins and using suction cups located on his body. There are suckers, both on the fins and on the belly, while the ventral sucker is considered the main one.
The presence of sucker fins allows the fish to conquer any height, including the walls of aquariums. In nature, this phenomenon allows the fish to protect themselves from the action of the tides. If the tide carries individuals into the open sea, then they will die soon.
The mudskipper is a land-dwelling fish
How long does a mudskipper live
With the right maintenance in artificial conditions, mudskippers are able to live for about 3 years. The most important thing is that the aquarium should have slightly salty water, since mudskippers can live in both salt and fresh water.
Interesting to know! During the period of evolution, the mudskipper has formed a special mechanism that controls the metabolism depending on the living conditions.
Sexual dimorphism
In this species, sexual dimorphism is rather poorly developed, so even experienced specialists or aquarists cannot distinguish where the male and where the female is. At the same time, if you observe the behavior of individuals, you can pay attention to the following fact: female individuals are calmer, and male ones are more conflicted.
Types of mudskippers
Scientists around the world have not yet come to a consensus about the existence of a number of varieties of mudskippers. Some of them name the number 35, and some do not name even two dozen species. The most common of a large number of species is considered to be an ordinary mudskipper, the main populations of which are distributed in slightly saline waters off the coast of West Africa, including within the Gulf of Guinea.
In addition to the common jumper, several more species are included in this genus:
- P. argentilineatus and P. cantonensis;
- P. chrysospilos, P. kalolo, P. gracilis;
- P. magnuspinnatus and P. modestus;
- P. minutus and P. malaccensis;
- P. novaeguineaensis and P. pearsei;
- P. novemradiatus and P. sobrinus;
- P. waltoni, P. spilotus and P. variabilis;
- P. weberi, P. walailakae and P. septemradiatus.
Not so long ago, 4 more species were attributed to mudskippers, but then they were assigned to another genus – the genus “Periophthalmodon”.
natural habitats
The habitat of these amazing living creatures is quite wide and covers almost all of Asia, Africa and Australia. For their life activity, various species rob various conditions, inhabiting rivers and ponds, as well as brackish waters of the coasts of tropical countries.
It should be noted a number of African states, where the most numerous species of mudskippers “Periophthalmus barbarus” is found. For example:
- V Angola, Gabon and Benin.
- Cameroon, Gambia and Congo.
- In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
- In Guinea, in Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
- in Liberia and Nigeria.
- In Sao Tome and Prixini.
- Sierra Leone and Senegal.
Mudskippers love the mangroves, where they make their homes in the backwaters. At the same time, they are found in the mouths of rivers, on tidal mudflats in conditions where the coasts are protected from high waves.
Diet
Most species are considered omnivorous, with the exception of some herbivorous species, so their diet is quite varied. As a rule, jumpers feed after low tide, digging in soft silt, where they find food items.
As a rule, in the diet “Periophthalmus barbarus”. Feed objects of both animal and vegetable origin are included. For example:
- Small crustaceans.
- The fish is not large (fry).
- Root system of white mangroves.
- Seaweed.
- Worms and insect larvae.
- Insects.
When mudskippers are kept in artificial conditions, their diet becomes somewhat different. Experienced aquarists recommend feeding mudskippers a variety of foods, based on dry fish flakes, as well as shredded seafood, in the form of shrimp or frozen bloodworms.
In addition, it is desirable that the diet includes live insects, in the form of moths and small flies. At the same time, you can’t feed these fish with mealworms and crickets, as well as living creatures that are not found in mangroves, otherwise this can cause problems with the digestive system in the fish.
Reproduction and offspring
Since male mudskippers often find themselves in conflict situations, they are especially unbearable during the breeding season, since they have to not only fight for their territory, but also fight for females. Males stand opposite each other and lift up their dorsal fins, and also rise on their pectoral fins as high as possible. At the same time, they, as they say, “to the full” open their square mouths. They can jump on each other and swing their fins threateningly. The action lasts until one of the opponents can’t stand it and leaves.
It is important to know! When the male begins to attract the female, he makes unique jumps. When the female agrees, the mating process takes place and the eggs are fertilized inside the female. After that, the male begins building a storage facility for eggs.
The construction process of the storage is quite complicated, as the male has to dig a hole in the muddy ground with an air sac. At the same time, the hole is provided with several independent entrances, in the form of tunnels that go to the surface. Twice a day, the tunnels are filled with water, so the fish have to clear them of water and silt. Due to the presence of tunnels, the amount of fresh air entering the nest increases, moreover, parents can quickly get to the eggs that are attached to the walls of the nest.
The male and the female alternately protect their future offspring, taking care of the ventilation of the masonry. In order for fresh air to be present at the masonry site, they alternately drag air bubbles in their mouths, thus filling the hole with air.
Natural enemies
This fish has a lot of natural enemies, some of which are herons, large predatory fish and water snakes. When the mudskipper is in danger, he is able to develop unprecedented speed, with high jumps. At the same time, he can burrow into the mud or take cover in the trees, if he manages to see his enemies in time.
Population and species status
Only one species of mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus, can be seen on the IUCN Red List, and that is in a category that is threatened, but not significant. Since there are so many mudskippers, conservation organizations simply could not count their number. Therefore, nowadays no one knows how large the population of mudskippers is.
It is important to know! The species, present on the IUCN Red List, has received the status of “Least Concern”, both regionally and internationally.
Content in an aquarium
Mudskippers are quite unpretentious inhabitants for existence in captivity, but for them it is necessary to equip a dwelling, taking into account some of the features of this amazing fish. In fact, not an aquarium is needed for their maintenance, but an aquaterrarium. For their normal life, not a large area of u15bu20bland is needed, as well as a layer of water of the order of 26 cm, no more. It is good if there are snags protruding from the water or live mangrove trees are planted in the water. But if they are not, the fish feels good on the walls of the aquaterrarium. The salinity of the water should not exceed 30%, and to increase its hardness, it is better to use small pebbles or marble chips. Care must be taken that there are no stones with sharp edges, otherwise the fish may be injured in the process of jumping. Mud jumpers feel great at a temperature of water and ambient air of about 20-22 degrees, and already at a temperature of XNUMX-XNUMX degrees they begin to get pretty cold. A UV lamp will also come in handy. The aquaterrarium will definitely have to be covered with glass, otherwise the jumpers will easily run away from their home.
In addition, by covering their home with glass, you can maintain the desired humidity inside it.
It is not recommended to settle a large number of individuals in one aquaterrarium, as they will constantly conflict with each other. At the same time, mudskippers can get along with other types of fish that prefer brackish water, as well as with crabs. Jumpers eat a variety of foods and will not refuse live worms or bloodworms, frozen shrimp, meat, fish (chopped to a state of minced meat), as well as dry crickets. In the water, jumpers see poorly, so you can only feed them on land. These fish are quickly tamed and begin to take food from their hands.
Unfortunately, in captivity, mudskippers do not breed, because it is not possible to create such a viscous soil in which they are used to living in natural conditions.
Hand feeding mudskippers.
In conclusion
In addition to the fact that mudskippers are caught specifically for those who like to keep fish in captivity, as well as the presence of natural enemies, this fish is not threatened with extinction. Local residents do not eat this fish, while they say that it is impossible to eat fish if it climbs trees.