African Mudskipper (Atlantic Mudskipper)

Periophthalmus barbarus

The African mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus), also known as the Atlantic mudskipper, is an amphibious fish from the group of gobies (Gobiiformes) that occurs on the West African coast from Senegal to Angola and on the coasts of the islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Along with 17 species of Indo-Pacific mudskippers, it is the only mudskipper to be found on an Atlantic coast.The African mudskipper occurs mainly in brackish water, in lagoons, estuaries and mangroves on muddy bottoms and sometimes also goes into the fresh water of river underflows. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and insects, as well as plant material. He spawns in caves he has dug himself.

Source: Tierpark Hagenbeck

The African mudskipper becomes a maximum of 14.5 to 16.5 cm long. Reports of specimens 25 cm in length are based on confusion with other goby species. It has an elongated body, close together and upright eyes, two clearly separated dorsal fins and muscular pectoral fins with which it can hop on land. The horizontally standing mouth is large and reaches under the middle of the eye. A fold of skin hangs over the upper lip. The anterior nostrils are tubular and reach the level of the lower lip, the posterior ones are small and slit-shaped. The upper edge of the gill cover, the front gill cover, the region between the eyes and the base of the pectoral fin are covered with small round scales. The scales in front of the first dorsal fin extend to the rear edge of the eyes.

The first dorsal fin is higher than the second. The base of the fin of the second is longer than the distance from its rear end to the beginning of the caudal fin. The pelvic fins are fused to one another by a fin membrane on their fifth, segmented fin ray. The caudal fin is asymmetrical, the upper rays are longer.

African mudskippers are brownish, russet, or olive green in color, with sloping dark transverse bands and a lighter belly. On the flanks and the sides of the head you can see small blue dots. The dorsal fins have a light, blue-white outer edge and a dark band underneath. The anal fin is whitish, sometimes with small dark spots. The caudal fin is dark, the lower part a little lighter.

Aquarium Info (Source: Fischlexikon.eu)

Temperature: 22 ° C - 27 ° C

Aquarium: from approx. 1,000 liters

Total hardness: 10 ° -20 °

Salinity: at least 10 g / L (sea salt mixture, no table salt or other table salt!)

Difficulty: only for experienced aquarists

Feeding:

Live food: shrimp, insects, small crustaceans, snails, polychaeta, Artemia, krill

Attitude:

Mudskippers should only be kept in a species tank (aqua terrarium) with at least 6-8 conspecifics (harem pose). Mudskippers are extremely sociable. One third of the pool should consist of brackish water and two thirds of land (mud, gravel, sand), the water height should be around 12-18 cm. The water should be changed regularly.

The water-free zone should contain some boundaries (mangrove roots, stones). The water and air temperature should be approx. 25 ° C. Since mudskippers can jump very well, the aquarium must be well covered.

Male mudskippers are territorial: if another male gets too close, they open their mouths wide and raise their dorsal fins. Nobody is seriously injured in the process; these threatening gestures remain.

Breed:

According to our knowledge, the offspring of the African mudskipper in the aquarium has not yet been successful