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Kalolo mudskipper (Periophthalmus kalolo) — Gobiidae

Kalolo mudskipper

Periophthalmus kalolo
Family: Gobiidae

The Kalolo mudskipper (Periophthalmus kalolo) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.1 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Kalolo mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from tidal and mangrove areas of the Indo-West Pacific and East Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, brown-grey body with high-set, bulging eyes. At low tide it crawls and skips over the exposed mud with its muscular pectoral fins, breathes air through skin and gill cavity and hunts small crustaceans, insects and worms; it defends a territory and digs burrows. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kalolo mudskipper?

The Kalolo mudskipper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Kalolo mudskipper live?

The Kalolo mudskipper lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Kalolo mudskipper get?

The Kalolo mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Kalolo mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Kalolo mudskipper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse slijkspringer sourced
English name
Kalolo mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Periophthalmus kalolo
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Common mudskipper; Kalolo mudskipper; Sailfin mudskipper; Silverline mudskipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Periophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

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