Marine Curios #9 – Periophthalmus modestus or Shuttles hoppfish
Mudskippers, like Periophthalmus modestus, are amphibious fish that can be found in mudflats and swamps. They are classified as Gobiiforms, not true gobies, and have adapted pectoral fins for movement. Shuttles hoppfish, for example, create elaborate nurseries in burrows, where the male incubates the eggs by bringing air from the surface to aid in their development out of water. Their ability to survive on land is due to their large gill chambers that allow them to absorb oxygen. Some mudskippers can spend up to 60 hours out of water and certain species may live three-quarters of their lives on land.
