HomeFreshwater aquarium fishPuffers, gobies & brackish fishAtlantic mudskipper Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) Scientific name: Periophthalmus barbarus Linnaeus, 1766 The Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiidae that grows to about 25 cm (9.8 in). It is easy to keep and semi-aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 150 L (40 US gal), water at 25–30°C (77–86°F) and a pH of 7.0–8.0. Native range: Brackish water in West Africa, through east Africa and the South sea Islands to Australia. Atlantic mudskipper care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentSemi-aggressiveCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size25 cm (9.8 in)Minimum tank150 L (40 US gal)Temperature25–30°C (77–86°F)pH7.0–8.0Hardness10–25 dGH (178–446 ppm)DietCarnivore BiologyAmphibious air-breather that skips or walks on sand or mud in search of food; that is, on exposed intertidal mud flats of estuarine mangrove swamps. Adult feed chiefly on arthropods (crabs, insects, etc.) of the mud surface. Also included in the diet is the white mangrove, Avicennia nitida. Spawn in burrows.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePeriophthalmus barbarusFamilyGobiidae (Gobies)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length25.0EnvironmentMarine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromousClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Senegal to Angola, including most offshore islands - Macias Nguema, S?o Tom?, and Principe islands. Western Central Pacific: Guam.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.89; Fec=2,100; assuming tm= 2.5 years based on growth curve) More puffers, gobies & brackish fishPeacock gudgeonTateurndina ocellicaudaIndian glassy fishParambassis rangaTetraodon schoutedeniFresh water puffer fishTetraodon mbuNorthern trout gudgeonMogurnda mogurndaStigmatogobius sadanundioSee all puffers, gobies & brackish fish Can it live with...?Atlantic mudskipper and Banded archerfishAtlantic mudskipper and Eyespot pufferfishAtlantic mudskipper and Fresh water puffer fishAtlantic mudskipper and Globe fishAtlantic mudskipper and Green pufferfishAtlantic mudskipper and Indian glassy fishAtlantic mudskipper and Malabar pufferfishAtlantic mudskipper and Northern trout gudgeonAtlantic mudskipper and Peacock gudgeonAtlantic mudskipper and Silver moonyAtlantic mudskipper and Spotted scatAtlantic mudskipper and Violet goby SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026