Barred Mudskipper

Periophthalmus argentilineatus is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Samoa and the northern coasts of Australia. It inhabits mangrove swamps, estuaries, and tidal mudflats, where salinity varies and muddy shorelines are exposed daily.

Belongs to the family Gobiidae. It has specialized pectoral fins with limb-like joints that allow it to walk on land. Its eyes are positioned high on the head for panoramic vision. Gills are adapted to retain water, allowing it to breathe air when damp.

Highly territorial and aggressive, especially towards rival males. They defend their mud territories with threat displays, raising their dorsal fins. Not suitable for community environments unless significant land space is provided.

Body is grayish-brown with dark vertical bars and silvery-white spots along the flanks. The dorsal fins are colorful with dark margins. Males are generally more colorful and showy than females, especially during breeding displays.

Must be housed in a specialized paludarium (aquaterrarium) with a land area consisting of sand, mud, or rocks, and a shallow brackish water section. Include roots or branches for climbing. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory to maintain humidity and prevent escapes.

Carnivorous, hunting primarily on land. Feed live insects like small crickets, fruit flies, and mealworms. Frozen foods can be offered using tweezers on the land zone. They will rarely consume standard dry fish food.

Water must be brackish, with specific gravity between 1.005 and 1.015 using marine salt. Keep water and air temperature between 24 and 30 °C, and pH between 7.5 and 8.5. Good filtration is necessary to process waste.

Best kept in a species-only setup. They will prey on any small fish or invertebrates. Multiple mudskippers can cohabitate only if the enclosure is very large with plenty of visual barriers to establish territories.

Breeding in home aquariums is virtually impossible. In nature, they dig deep, complex burrows in the mud where eggs are deposited in specialized air-filled chambers, which cannot be easily simulated in captivity.

Dehydration is the biggest risk if air humidity drops. Bacterial and fungal infections of the skin can occur if substrate hygiene is poor. The tank must be tightly sealed to prevent escape and preserve high humidity.