2015/08/14
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Hong Kong Biodiversity Database

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Hong Kong Biodiversity Database

General
Conservation
Distribution
Photo Gallery
References
General Information
 
Periophthalmus modestus
Common mudskipper
 
Animal Group: Mudskipper
彈塗魚
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobiidae
Other Name(s): Periophthalmus cantonensis
Description: Common Mudskipper has a slender body with protruding eyes and sail-like first dorsal fin. Body is brownish-grey in colour marked with irregular blue iridescent markings along sides of the body. The adhesive sucker formed by the fused pelvic fins allows the fish to cling on roots and trunks of mangrove. It can move across mudflats by using its muscular pectoral fins as legs together with the ventral sucker. The fish is capable of breathing air when out of water during low tides.
Conservation Status
Distribution
Distribution in Hong Kong
  • It is the commonest mudskipper in Hong Kong and almost found in all mudflats and estuaries.
Global Distribution
  • Western Pacific region including China, Korea and Japan.
Photo Gallery
References
  • Lam, K. S. (2002). Freshwater Fish in Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.
  • Lee, V. L. F., Lam, S. K. S., Ng, F. K. Y., Chan, T. K. T. and Young, M. L. C. (2004). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong.Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong