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Silver-lined mudskipper

Periophthalmus argentilineatus

Family: Oxudercidae | Genus:  Periophthalmus

Silver-lined mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus)

Silver-lined mudskipper

Periophthalmus argentilineatus 

Family: Oxudercidae | Genus:  Periophthalmus

Mangroves and muddy brackish waters | Carnivore | Indo-Pacific | Up to 19 cm | 3–5 years

The silver-lined mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus) is one of the most extraordinary fish species in the world. It lives between two worlds – water and land – and is perfectly adapted to life in the tidal zones of tropical mangroves. Thanks to its unique anatomy, it can move quickly across muddy surfaces and even climbmangrove roots. 

Outside the water, it can survive for up to 37 hours as long as its skin remains moist. Oxygen uptake occurs not only through its gills but also through the skin and themucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. Its strong pectoral fins act like supporting “limbs”, allowing it to jump, walk and climb. 

One of its most striking features is its protruding eyes, positioned high on its head. They can move independently and help the fish constantly scan its surroundings for prey and potential threats. As a territorial species, the silver-lined mudskipper defends its territory against other individuals using impressive jumps and threat displays.

Distribution

The species is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Its distribution ranges from the southern Red Sea and the east coast of Africa to Samoa and the Mariana Islands. In the north, it occurs as far as the Ryukyu Islands, while in the south it reaches Western Australia and Oceania.

Saltarín del fango
Saltarín del fango

Icono de Anfibios Habitat

It inhabits mangrove forests and muddy brackish areas within tidal zones. It spends most of its time at the surface or in shallow waters up to around one metre deep.

Its habitat is characterised by:

  • Dense mangroves with extensive aerial roots
  • Muddy areas exposed during low tide
  • Brackish water with changing salinity levels
  • Small tidal pools between roots and rocks
  • Shallow areas with soft sediments
  • Organic-rich habitats with abundant prey

Icono de Anfibios Lifestyle and Behaviour

The silver-lined mudskipper is a territorial species that lives in small groups. Especially during the breeding season, males defend their territories against rivals withimpressive jumps and threat displays. 

Social Behaviour 

  • Lives in small territorial groups 
  • Males defend their territories especially during the breeding season 
  • Threat displays and jumps are used to deter rivals 
  • Social hierarchy within groups based on size and territorial behaviour 

Daily Activity 

  • Mainly active during low tide when muddy areas become exposed 
  • Spends more time outside the water than in it 
  • During high tide, it retreats into self-dug burrows or small pools 
  • Actively searches for food on exposed mudflats 
  • Regularly enters the water to cool down and keep its skin moist 
  • Constantly observes its surroundings to detect prey and predators early 

Reproduction 

  • Egg-laying species with seasonal reproduction 
  • Males dig deep burrows in the mud that serve as breeding chambers 
  • Impressive courtship: males attract females through jumps, spread fins and intensified colouration 
  • The female lays her eggs inside the male’s breeding chamber 
  • After spawning, the male provides parental care and supplies the eggs with oxygen 
  • The young hatch after several days 

Relationship with its environment

  • Amphibious respiration: Can remain outside the water for up to 37 hours thanks to its ability to breathe through the skin and the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. 
  • Modified gill chamber: Stores water and keeps the gills moist, allowing respiration outside the water. 
  • Adapted pectoral fins: Used for movement, allowing the silver-lined mudskipper to walk across mudflats, jump and climb mangrove roots. 
  • Protruding, mobile eyes: Positioned high on the head, they can move independently and enable effective observation of the surroundings. 
  • Euryhaline adaptation: Can tolerate different salinity levels, allowing it to adapt to changing conditions in brackish environments. 
  • Permeable skin: Supports gas exchange and enables additional oxygen uptake through the skin. 
  • Mud burrows: Self-dug burrows serve as shelter, breeding sites and protection from temperature fluctuations and predators. 

Icono de Anfibios Diet

In its natural habitat

  • Carnivorous species 
  • Feeds on small crustaceans (such as amphipods, copepods and juvenile crabs) 
  • Captures aquatic and terrestrial insects as well as their larvae 
  • Consumes most of its food during low tide when tidal areas are exposed 
  • Actively hunts both on land and in small pools 

Under human care

  • A varied diet based on small crickets, flies, bloodworms, Artemia, mysis and small pellets for carnivorous fish 
  • Fed once or twice daily in small portions 
  • It is important to offer food both in water and on land 
  • Live insects provide enrichment and encourage natural hunting behaviour

Icono de Anfibios Conservation Status

Lista roja IUCN Saltarín del Fango

The silver-lined mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus) is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

However, the species faces several threats: 

  • Destruction of mangroves caused by aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development 
  • Pollution of coastal and brackish water habitats 
  • Construction and drainage of tidal areas 
  • Effects of climate change, particularly rising sea levels and changing tidal patterns 

Related Species at Poema del Mar

Largescale foureyes