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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

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.

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.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstip-slijkspringer sourced
English name
Blue-spotted mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Bluespotted mudskipper; Goggle-eyed 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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