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  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
mangroves
 
Mudskippers
Family Gobiidae
 
Mudskippers are common in the mangroves and muddy shores of Chek Jawa. They are also seen on the rocky shores at higher tides. At low tide, a few might be seen lurking in rock pools.

Fish out of water: Mudskippers are well adapted to the mangroves. Often mistaken for frogs or snakes, mudskippers are actually fish that breathe with gills. Being able to breathe out of water gives mudskippers some advantages over 'normal' fish. They can escape aquatic predators and catch land prey.

How do they breathe out of water? While out of water, they breathe by retaining water in enlarged gill chambers. Just as we bring tanks of air to breathe from when we scuba dive, mudskippers bring stores of water. They can also breathe air through their wet skin. These fish are in fact more comfortable crawling around on the mud than submerged in water!

Masters of the mudflats: Mudskippers have interesting features designed to rule the mud! They have eyes at the top of the head for an all-round view. Their mouth faces downwards to feed on the mud surface. In some mudskippers, the pelvic fins are fused to form a sucker so they can better cling to rocks and roots. Their pectoral fins are used like crutches to crawl over mud. Some have colourful dorsal fins that can be raised to signal other mudskippers.

How do mudskippers skip? They curl their muscular body sideways then push against the mud to spring forward.

Status and threats: Like other mangroves inhabitants, mudskippers are affected by habitat destruction, pollution and other destructive human activities.		  

Mudskippers can
cling onto to trees
quick facts
7-12cm, mudskippers are commonly seen in the mangroves and along the shore at high tide
 
See also ...
Mudskippers of Chek Jawa
Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri)
Gold-spotted mudskippers (Periophthalmus chrysospilos)
Dusky-gilled mudskipper (Periophthalmus novemradiatus)

Links
Richard's Mudskipper and Goby Web Site by Richard Mleczko: anything and everything you could possibly want to know about mudskippers. Lots of details, photos, articles and links.

Other references

  • Mastaller, Michael, 1997. Mangroves: The Forgotten Forest Between Land and Sea. Tropical Press, Malaysia, 200 pp.
  • Field, Colin, 1995. Journey among Mangroves. International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, 139 pp.
  • Stafford-Deitsch, Jeremy, 1996. Mangrove: The Forgotten Habitat. Immel Publishing, London. 277 pp.
  • Ng, Peter K. L. & N. Sivasothi, 1999. A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore II (Animal Diversity). Singapore Science Centre. 168 pp. online version
  • Lim, Kelvin K. P. & Jeffrey K. Y. Low, 1998. A Guide to the Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 163 pp.
  • Tan, Leo W. H. & Ng, Peter K. L., 1988. A Guide to Seashore Life. The Singapore Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp. online version
 

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