WATERY WEDNESDAY #2

WATERY WEDNESDAY #2

This Watery Wednesday brings us a very special little fish. This fish is amphibious meaning it not only lives in the water but can come out and spend time on land. Who could this special fish be? Let’s find out…

MEET THE ATLANTIC MUDSKIPPER!

Range/Habitat: West Africa, Indo-Pacific Oceans/mangroves, swamps and intertidal waters

Diet:  Carnivore: crabs, insects and small invertebrates

Length: 6-10”

Conservation Status: Common

Fun facts:

• Mudskippers are amphibious, meaning they spend time in water and on land.
• They can breathe in and out water. They use their gills in water and breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth out on land.
• They have to keep their skin moist on land in order to breathe.
• They use their front (pectoral) fins to climb out of the water. The fins are modified to help them maneuver on land.
• They also skip or jump across the muddy coast.
• They have funny large eyes on top of their heads that help them see all around them.

Mudskippers are amazing little fish! Have you ever seen a fish on land before?