Yellow-spotted mudskippers (Periophthalmus walailakae) on the Shores of Singapore

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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Gobiidae > mudskippers

Yellow-spotted mudskipper
Periophthalmus walailakae
Family Gobiidae
updated Sep 09

Where seen? This spotted mudskipper is sometimes seen in our mangroves, or on mudflats and sandflats near mangroves.

Features: To about 13cm long, those seen about 8-10cm. it has a greyish body with scattered yellowish spots all over the 'cheeks' and body. There are brownish spots on the upper body. The first dorsal fin has a rounded margin, is brownish red with a broad black band and narrow white margin. The second dorsal fin has a black stripe in the middle. The two dorsal fins are well separated. The pelvic fins form a complete disk.

It was previously mistaken as juveniles of the Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri). Unlike the Giant mudskipper, the Yellow-spotted mudskipper does not have a broad black band along the body length.

It is said to be nocturnal, leaving its burrow at night to forage and returning to the burrow in the morning. But this pair in the photo on Chek Jawa were frolicking out in the mid-day sun with the incoming tide, among other kinds of mudskippers.