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Walton's mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) — Gobiidae

Walton's mudskipper

Periophthalmus waltoni
Family: Gobiidae

The Walton's mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gobiidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan

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Description

The Walton's mudskipper is a mudskipper (Oxudercidae) from tidal and mangrove areas of the coast of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. The species grows to about 15 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. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Walton's mudskipper?

The Walton's mudskipper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Walton's mudskipper live?

The Walton's mudskipper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan

How big does the Walton's mudskipper get?

The Walton's mudskipper grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Walton's mudskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Walton's 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Walton's mudskipper sourced
Scientific name
Periophthalmus waltoni
Family
Gobiidae
Other names
Walton's mudskipper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Periophthalmus

More from the family Gobiidae

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