Edit Periophthalmus barbarus
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Name
Scientific name
Periophthalmus barbarus
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Gobiidae
Common names
Atlantic Mudskipper
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The Atlantic mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus, is a highly amphibious goby from the west African coast, from Mauritania south to Angola.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
150mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 25–30°C, pH 7–8.5
Hardness
10–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
This species occurs throughout most of the west African coastline, from Mauritania in the north southwards as far as Angola. Supposed occurences in India, Thai…
Habitat
Found mainly in estuarine mangrove swamps, where it lives on and around mudflats at the water's edge. Some populations live in highly tidal areas, where the fl…
Aquarium size
A 48" x 12" x 12" (120cm x 30cm x 30cm) - 110 litre tank is just about acceptable for a single fish. The more floor space the better though. Aim for a bare min…
Maintenance
The set-up must have exposed land areas. A bank or beach made of sand or mudflat mud is suggested but you could use partially submerged bogwood. It's also esse…
Water conditions
Temperature: Aim for air and water temperatures within the range 77 - 86°F (25 - 30°C). pH: 7.0 - 8.5. Mudskippers will not do well in acidic conditions. Consi…
Diet
Feeds chiefly on crabs, insects and other invertebrates in the wild but is surprisingly adaptable in captivity. It will accept live worms, crickets, flies, mea…
Behaviour and compatibility
It is highly territorial with conspecifics and should not be kept with small fish as they may be eaten. In a well-designed, large set-up can be kept with other…
Sexual dimorphism
Outside the spawning season the sexes appear to be identical but they can be sexed by examination of the genital papillae, which is broader in females. The mal…
Reproduction
P. barbarus not been bred in captivity, even in public aquaria. In nature the males dig deep (up to 1m), turreted shafts in the mud in which mating and broodca…
Notes
Due to its highly amphibious nature this must be one of the most interesting, endearing species that can be kept in aquaria. Some specimens rarely enter deep w…
References
References
No references