Bearded Mudskipper (Scartelaos histophorus)
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| A mated pair of Bearded Mudskippers. |
Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)
Species Name: Scartelaos histophorus
Common Name(s): Bearded Mudskipper, Walking Goby
Common Name(s): Bearded Mudskipper, Walking Goby
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Open mudflats and creek banks.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
Habitat: Coastal: Open mudflats and creek banks.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
One of Singapore's lesser encountered mudskippers due to its habitat preference. The Bearded Mudskipper is easily recognized by its elongated body shape which can reach up to 14cm in length. It is overall grey with sparse black dots. The first dorsal fin is very tall and it is raised in territorial displays as with all mudskippers. The unique feature about this species is that it has barbels below its head, resulting in the common name.
The Bearded Mudskipper is mostly encountered on open mudflats where the mud is sticky and one can sink in it to varying levels. They can also be encountered further upstream along creek banks but larger individuals are further out to sea. Similar to the Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper, they only appear during low tide and hide in their burrows where there is an air pocket during high tide. This species is omnivorous and it feeds by sifting through the mud, running it through its gills and expelling the sediment. It feeds on tiny organisms such as algae, crustaceans and worms.
They are known for their impressive displays where the male leaps into the air but keeps its tail on the ground, making it seem like it is standing up! If a female is interested, they share a burrow together. It appears that juveniles are not as elongated and have the normal mudskipper proportions.
The Bearded Mudskipper is mostly encountered on open mudflats where the mud is sticky and one can sink in it to varying levels. They can also be encountered further upstream along creek banks but larger individuals are further out to sea. Similar to the Boddart's Blue-spotted Mudskipper, they only appear during low tide and hide in their burrows where there is an air pocket during high tide. This species is omnivorous and it feeds by sifting through the mud, running it through its gills and expelling the sediment. It feeds on tiny organisms such as algae, crustaceans and worms.
They are known for their impressive displays where the male leaps into the air but keeps its tail on the ground, making it seem like it is standing up! If a female is interested, they share a burrow together. It appears that juveniles are not as elongated and have the normal mudskipper proportions.
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| A Bearded Mudskipper sifting through the mud for food. |
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| A small Bearded Mudskipper that has just emerged from its burrow. |
YouTube videos
- Passive behaviour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWEUVAqJFzw&ab_channel=SGfishesabovewater
- Burrow emergence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MdIDaMvDUs&ab_channel=SGfishesabovewater
References
- FishBase. Scartelaos histophorus Valenciennes, 1837 – (Walking goby). Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Scartelaos-histophorus.html
- Lim, K.K.P. & Low, J.K.Y. 1998. A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, 163 pp. ISBN 981-00-9904-5.
- National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.
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