Have you ever wondered where mudskippers live while watching these remarkable fish walk on land? Surprisingly, these amphibious creatures can be found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions around the globe, including the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic coast of Africa. Unlike typical fish, mudskippers spend as much as three-quarters of their lives out of water, making them one of nature’s most fascinating evolutionary adaptations.
Mudskippers are actually fish belonging to the goby family Oxudercidae, comprising 23 different species. They thrive primarily in mangroves, tidal flats, and muddy coastlines throughout Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and Australia. When we look at what mudskippers eat, their diet typically consists of insects, small crustaceans, and worms, which they hunt while perched on mangrove roots and rocks. Additionally, these remarkable creatures can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long and can leap impressive distances of up to 61 centimeters (24 in) by flexing their tails.
In this article, we’ll explore the unique habitats of mudskippers, their remarkable adaptations for land survival, and the fascinating facts that make these fish truly extraordinary.
Where do mudskippers live in the world?
Mudskippers thrive in some of the most challenging coastal environments on our planet. These remarkable fish have evolved unique adaptations that allow them to colonize areas where few other fish species can survive.
Mangrove forests and tidal flats
Mudskippers primarily inhabit intertidal zones characterized by soft mud, making mangrove forests their ideal home. These amphibious fish are perhaps the most conspicuous residents of mangrove ecosystems, where they spend most of their time perched on roots and rocks above water.
Mangrove habitats offer mudskippers essential protection, serving as a buffer between marine and terrestrial communities. Furthermore, these coastal wetlands provide the perfect combination of shallow brackish waters and humid conditions that mudskippers require for survival. During low tide, mudskippers emerge to feed, but retreat to their burrows when high tide arrives.
Geographic range: Africa to Australia
The global distribution of mudskippers spans across tropical and subtropical regions between approximately 30° North and 30° South latitude. These unique fish inhabit coastal areas from the Atlantic shores of West Africa through East Africa, the Arabian Gulf, Indo-Malaya, Australia/New Guinea, the China Sea, and extending into Oceania.
One of the most widespread species, Periophthalmus argentilineatus, can be found from East Africa and Madagascar eastward through Southeast Asia to Northern Australia, and northward to Taiwan and Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. Notably, mudskippers extend as far east as Samoa and Tonga.
The diversity of mudskipper species varies considerably across regions. Species richness peaks in the South China Sea (18 species) and Oceania (16 species), with more than five species commonly found in a single mangrove ecosystem.
Why they prefer muddy environments
Mudskippers favor soft, muddy substrates for several practical reasons. These environments allow them to dig burrows extending up to 1.5 meters deep, providing essential refuge from predators.
These fish construct their burrows by scooping out mud with their mouths, creating protective walls as they spit the material out. Inside these burrows, some species maintain air pockets, which become crucial when oxygen levels fall.
The muddy substrate also helps these amphibious fish maintain their essential moist coating while on land. Consequently, they show decreased population density during rainy seasons, particularly from June to October, suggesting their preference for specific muddy conditions that balance moisture without excessive rainfall.
How mudskippers survive on land
Unlike most fish that suffocate on land, mudskippers have evolved remarkable adaptations that allow them to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. These extraordinary creatures employ multiple strategies to breathe air, making them true masters of amphibious living.
Breathing through skin and mouth lining
Mudskippers primarily use a method called cutaneous breathing, absorbing oxygen directly through their skin and the mucous linings of their mouth and throat. This process works because their skin contains an abundance of blood capillaries positioned extremely close to the surface—creating diffusion distances as small as 1.5 μm in some species.
For cutaneous respiration to function effectively, mudskippers must maintain moisture on their bodies. Therefore, these resourceful fish regularly roll sideways in wet mud to keep themselves damp. This behavior is vital since their respiratory system depends on humidity. In fact, some highly active mudskipper species like Periophthalmus modestus obtain up to 76% of their oxygen needs through their skin while on land.
Storing water in gill chambers
Moreover, mudskippers have developed specialized gill chambers that serve as water reservoirs. These chambers close tightly when the fish emerges from water, thanks to a ventromedial valve in the gill slit. This clever adaptation prevents the gills from drying out and allows them to remain functional even during extended periods on land.
Many observers notice mudskippers appearing to have “puffed cheeks” while on land—this is actually their expanded gill chambers filled with water and air. Before venturing onto land, mudskippers take giant gulps of water, storing it in these chambers. This stored water enables them to stay on land for impressive durations—some species can remain terrestrial for up to two days at a time.
Cutaneous respiration explained
Cutaneous respiration in mudskippers involves direct gas exchange between blood vessels near the skin’s surface and the surrounding air. The process becomes especially critical when these fish emerge from water since their gill efficiency decreases in air.
The effectiveness of this respiratory method varies between species, generally correlating with their terrestrial activity levels. For instance, while Periophthalmus modestus relies on its skin for 76% of oxygen uptake, its less amphibious relative Scartelaos histophorus uses cutaneous respiration for only 43% of its oxygen needs.
Several anatomical adaptations enhance this process, including increased capillary density in the skin and specialized epidermal structures. Some species even have modified middle cell layers in their skin that not only prevent desiccation but also store water, ensuring that wherever mudskippers live, they remain perfectly adapted to their challenging dual-environment lifestyle.
Unique behaviors and adaptations
Across their habitat range, mudskippers showcase an impressive repertoire of behaviors that set them apart from typical fish. These remarkable adaptations help them thrive in challenging intertidal environments.
Jumping and territorial displays
Male mudskippers can leap astonishing heights of up to two feet above the mud—all in pursuit of love. These impressive jumps help them get noticed in the mudskipper dating pool. Beyond courtship, mudskippers use jumping to defend their territories, often engaging in dramatic confrontations. During these territorial disputes, they gape their mouths open, raise their dorsal fins, and leap aggressively toward intruders. Some species even emit fish-equivalent battle cries when neighbors venture too close.
Burrow building and air pockets
Instead of using their bodies to dig, mudskippers scoop mud with their mouths, spitting it out to create complex burrows. These burrows come in various shapes—J, Y, U, or W—with one to three openings leading to a bulbous chamber. The chamber serves multiple purposes, including egg storage. Fascinatingly, male mudskippers transport mouthfuls of air from the surface to create an oxygen-rich pocket within their burrows. This air reservoir allows them to breathe during high tide confinement. Some species make 6-15 air-deposition trips per minute when refreshing these air stores.
Blinking without eyelids
Although mudskippers lack true eyelids, they’ve evolved the ability to blink independently from terrestrial animals. Their eyes sit high on their heads, allowing them to blink by retracting their eyeballs into fluid-filled dermal cups. This action keeps their eyes moist out of water. Interestingly, mudskippers blink more frequently in high evaporation conditions yet only blink underwater when colliding with objects.
Climbing trees and roots
Despite their fish ancestry, several mudskipper species can climb trees using strong pectoral fins that function like legs. The slender mudskipper possesses split pelvic fins that appear as fin-like legs protruding from either side of its body, providing superior climbing ability. These fish employ a movement called “crutching”—resembling someone walking with crutches—using their muscular pectoral fins. Their remarkable climbing skills allow them to scale mangrove trees, rocks, and roots in search of food or to escape predators.
Types of mudskippers and what they eat
From carnivores to detritivores, the mudskipper family exhibits fascinating dietary diversity across its 23 species. These remarkable fish have evolved specialized feeding strategies that perfectly match their unique ecological niches.
Common species like Periophthalmus
The genus Periophthalmus stands out as the most diverse mudskipper group, with scientists identifying eighteen distinct species. Among these, Periophthalmus argentilineatus (Silverlined Mudskipper) enjoys widespread distribution from East Africa through Southeast Asia to Northern Australia, extending eastward to Samoa and Tonga Islands. This adaptable species typically grows to about 9.5 cm in length.
Another notable species, Periophthalmus barbarus (Atlantic Mudskipper), holds the distinction of being the only oxudercine goby inhabiting western Africa’s coastal regions. Meanwhile, the Common Mudskipper (Periophthalmus kalolo) thrives in Indo-Pacific waters from eastern Africa to Samoa, primarily in mangrove forests.
Carnivorous vs detritivorous diets
Interestingly, mudskippers have evolved different feeding strategies based on their habitats. Most Periophthalmus species follow carnivorous diets, hunting small prey opportunistically. In contrast, Boleophthalmus boddarti adopts a detritivorous lifestyle, primarily consuming decomposing organic matter.
Research reveals juvenile B. boddarti prefer diatoms, which constitute approximately 71.5% of their diet—significantly more than adult mudskippers. Comparatively, adult males and females consume a more balanced diet including nematodes (about 10%), polychaetes (8.6%), and fish eggs (3.2%) alongside diatoms.
What do mudskippers eat in the wild?
The dietary preferences of mudskippers vary remarkably across species. Carnivorous mudskippers primarily hunt small crustaceans, particularly crabs, alongside insects, snails, worms, and occasionally even other mudskippers. Many species demonstrate opportunistic feeding habits, consuming whatever prey is readily available.
Periophthalmus argentilineatus follows a carnivorous diet, focusing on small arthropods and crabs. P. barbarus employs a fascinating hunting technique—covering prey with water then sucking both water and prey into its mouth using what scientists call a “hydrodynamic tongue”.
Feeding intensity often follows seasonal patterns, with many species showing more active feeding during post-monsoon and summer months (January to May), subsequently decreasing during monsoon seasons. This cyclical pattern highlights how mudskippers adapt their feeding behaviors to environmental conditions wherever they live.
Conclusion
Mudskippers truly stand as remarkable creatures in the animal kingdom. These extraordinary fish have evolved exceptional adaptations that allow them to thrive where water meets land. Though classified as fish, mudskippers spend most of their lives outside water, breathing through specialized skin and gill chambers while moving about on modified fins that function like limbs.
Throughout tropical and subtropical coastal regions, from Africa to Australia, these amphibious gobies have carved out a unique ecological niche. Their preference for mangrove forests and muddy intertidal zones has shaped their evolution, leading to specialized feeding strategies and complex behaviors. Whether leaping dramatically during territorial displays, constructing elaborate burrows with air pockets, or climbing mangrove roots with their modified fins, mudskippers demonstrate nature’s incredible adaptability.
Perhaps most fascinating of all remains their respiratory system – a sophisticated combination of cutaneous breathing and water storage that allows them to venture onto land for extended periods. Different species have developed varied diets as well, ranging from carnivorous hunting strategies to detritivorous feeding habits.
Mudskippers remind us that life often defies simple categorization. Neither fully aquatic nor truly terrestrial, these boundary-crossing creatures showcase evolution’s remarkable solutions to environmental challenges. As we continue learning about these extraordinary fish, they offer valuable insights into adaptation and survival at the edge of two worlds – making them ambassadors of nature’s endless creativity and resilience.
