Gold-spotted Mudskipper (Periophthalmus chrysospilos)
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| A male Gold-spotted Mudskipper identified by the elongated first spine of the first dorsal fin. This was seen in the intertidal zone of Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. |
Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)
Species Name: Periophthalmus chrysospilos
Common Name(s): Gold-spotted Mudskipper
Common Name(s): Gold-spotted Mudskipper
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Intertidal zones such as sandy beaches and mudflats
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
Habitat: Coastal: Intertidal zones such as sandy beaches and mudflats
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
The Gold-spotted Mudskipper is an average-sized species, reaching around 10cm long usually. This species is easily identified by the orange-gold spots that cover the sides of its body, resulting in its common name. It also has bright orange dorsal fins that stand out from the other mudskippers in Singapore. In the males, the first dorsal spine is very elongated, which is a feature not seen in its relatives under the same genus locally.
The Gold-spotted Mudskipper is abundant in open intertidal zones along the coast such as mudflats and sandy beaches. It is rarely seen inside mangrove forests where its relatives are common. During high tide, they go further up the beach or wait it out on mangrove roots and other elevated surfaces.
The Gold-spotted Mudskipper is abundant in open intertidal zones along the coast such as mudflats and sandy beaches. It is rarely seen inside mangrove forests where its relatives are common. During high tide, they go further up the beach or wait it out on mangrove roots and other elevated surfaces.
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| A Gold-spotted Mudskipper braving the high tide and strong winds while clinging to a mangrove sapling. |
This species is omnivorous and appears to have different feeding styles. It hunts smaller invertebrates on-sight but also grazes on surfaces for algae and microorganisms. We have observed this species grazing on the rocks they're sitting on every time the wave crashes into it.
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| Territorial display of the Gold-spotted Mudskipper. |
References
- FishBase. Periophthalmus chrysospilos Bleeker, 1853 – Gold-spotted Mudskipper. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Periophthalmus-chrysospilos.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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