Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
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Order : Perciformes
Family : OXUDERCIDAE
Species : Periophthalmus variabilis
Maximum Length : 6.5 cm
The Dusky-gilled
Mudskipper is a small species which inhabits various micro-habitats within
mangrove ecosystems, however it seems to be generally more common in
landward mangrove near the high water mark.
As its scientific name, Periophthalmus variabilis,
indicates, this species is quite variable in character. Generally its dorsal
surface is mottled light and dark brown, with vague dark brown saddles. Its
flanks and ventral surface are pale. Under strong, reflected light small,
pale blue speckles might be visible, particularly on the flanks (see image
at left).
The front dorsal fin is striped: the margin is pale to clear, the middle
part is dark, and the lower part is orange-brown. The tail fin is mottled
brown, and reddish-orange at the margin.
There appears some confusion in the literature as to the correct scientific
name for this species in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. On his website, The Mudskipper.org,
Gianluca Polgar states that Periophthalmus novemradiatus is a misapplied
name. (P. novemradiatus is a separate species that occurs in
the Gulf of Bengal, from eastern India to southern Thailand).
P. variabilis is known to occur in Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore,
Vietnam and parts of Indonesia.
Fig 1 : Pair of Dusky-gilled Mudskippers in a brief embrace at Sungei
Pandan, Singapore. This unusual behaviour did not appear to be
aggressive, nor part of courtship behaviour.
Fig 2 :
Back-mangrove habitat of the Dusky-gilled Mudskipper at Pulau Kukup,
Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 3 : Specimen from Pulau Kukup mangrove, Johor,
Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 4 : Specimen from Pasir Ris mangrove,
Singapore.
Fig 5 : Male and female pair from Pulau Ubin, Singapore. The female is at
the front: it is slightly larger and lacks the dark band on the front dorsal
fin. Photo thanks to Noel Thomas.
Thanks to Gianluca Polgar for assistance in identification.
Links : The Mudskipper.org
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