Home · Gobiidae · Blue-spotted mudskipper
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae

Blue-spotted mudskipper

Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus
Family: Gobiidae

The Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The blue-spotted mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from tidal and mangrove areas of northern Australia and adjacent New Guinea. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate, brown-grey body with numerous light-blue spots and high-set eyes. At low tide it crawls over the exposed mud and scrapes diatoms and algae with its mouth; it breathes air through skin and gill cavity and defends a territory. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-spotted mudskipper?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blue-spotted mudskipper live?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Blue-spotted mudskipper get?

The Blue-spotted mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Blue-spotted mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-spotted mudskipper is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Simon Tonge (CC0)
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 4
J.E. Randall (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) — Gobiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) George Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-spotted mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Bluespotted mudskipper; Goggle-eyed; Blue-spotted mud-hopper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Boleophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

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