Silver-lined Mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus)
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| A Silverlined Mudskipper seen on St John's Island, where it is rather plentiful. |
Family: Oxudercidae (Subfamily Oxudercinae - Mudskippers)
Species Name: Periophthalmus argentilineatus
Common Name(s): Silver-lined Mudskipper, Barred Mudskipper
Common Name(s): Silver-lined Mudskipper, Barred Mudskipper
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal: Mangrove forests down to lower intertidal zones.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
This is an abundant species seen in Singapore from both inside mangrove forests to even sandy shores that at least meet a patch of mangroves (indicating some mud). The Silver-lined Mudskipper is an average-sized mudskipper, reaching just under 10cm at max. It is named after the silver stripes on the sides of its body but other species can have similar patterns as well. Thus, a shot of the raised dorsal fins can help separate it from similar-looking species in the region. The first dorsal fin is red with a black and white margin running from the top to the back of the fin, while the red area has many spots.
This species is an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on whatever could feed in its mouth such as small invertebrates.
Although not recorded in Singapore (so far), Periophthalmus kalolo frequently appears alongside this species elsewhere and look pretty much the same. A ventral view of the pelvic fin is currently the best way to differentiate them (Polgar, 2014).
Habitat: Coastal: Mangrove forests down to lower intertidal zones.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
This is an abundant species seen in Singapore from both inside mangrove forests to even sandy shores that at least meet a patch of mangroves (indicating some mud). The Silver-lined Mudskipper is an average-sized mudskipper, reaching just under 10cm at max. It is named after the silver stripes on the sides of its body but other species can have similar patterns as well. Thus, a shot of the raised dorsal fins can help separate it from similar-looking species in the region. The first dorsal fin is red with a black and white margin running from the top to the back of the fin, while the red area has many spots.
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| A Silver-lined Mudskipper flaring its dorsal fins to another of its kind. (Photograph by: Lumin Ong) |
This species is an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on whatever could feed in its mouth such as small invertebrates.
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| A Silver-lined Mudskipper feeding on what appears to be a polychaete worm that it dug out from the mud. |
Although not recorded in Singapore (so far), Periophthalmus kalolo frequently appears alongside this species elsewhere and look pretty much the same. A ventral view of the pelvic fin is currently the best way to differentiate them (Polgar, 2014).
References
- Polgar, G. Gobiidae: Oxudercinae – Periophthalmus argentilineatus Valenciennes, 1837. Retrieved from http://www.mudskipper.it/SpeciesPages/arge.html
- FishBase. Periophthalmus argentilineatus (Valenciennes, 1837) – Barred Mudskipper. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Periophthalmus-argentilineatus
- 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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