Mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
The Mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons), water held at 72-86°F, and a pH of 7.5-8.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / Indo-Pacific
- Africa
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Mudskipper Tank Setup
Treat 150 litres (40 US gallons) as a starting point - big predators need length, strong filtration, and a secure lid. Hold the water at 72-86°F and pH 7.5-8.5, and assume anything small enough to swallow will eventually be eaten. They reach about 15 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Mudskippers Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Mudskipper Tank Mates
Semi-terrestrial; requires paludarium with land and brackish water. Highly territorial; keep one per tank or large groups. Jumps and climbs. The Mudskipper is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Mudskippers Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Mudskipper - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Mudskippers need?
Mudskippers need a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Mudskippers need?
Keep them at 72-86°F with a pH of 7.5-8.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Mudskippers eat?
Mudskippers are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Mudskippers good for beginners?
Mudskippers are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Mudskippers
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 150 litres (40 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Mudskippers will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Mudskippers
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Keyhole CichlidPredator - Keyhole Cichlid will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
- Zebra DanioSize risk - Mudskippers will likely eat Zebra Danio at adult size
