Boleophthalmus pectinirostris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Great blue spotted mudskipper
Boleophthalmus pectinirostris
photo by Murdy, E.O.

Family:  Oxudercidae (Mudskippers), subfamily: Periophthalminae
Max. size:  17.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 22 cm (female); max.weight: 91.4 g; max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; pH range: 8 - 8.5; depth range - 0 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: China, Korean Peninsula, Japan and Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-31; Anal soft rays: 24-30. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Total elements in D2 23-26; caudal fin length 18.3-22.2% SL; head length 24.3-28.0% SL; length of D2 base 41.5-46.1% SL; first D2 element usually segmented and branched; longitudinal scale count 84-123; predorsal scales 26-48; lower jaw teeth notched (Ref. 5218).
Biology:  An intertidal and amphibious air-breather that actively shuttles back and forth between tide pools and air (Ref. 31184). Creeps around and browses on mud flats at low tide; stays in a burrow in the mud at high tide. Herbivores that graze on diatoms on the mud surface during low tide (Ref. 92840). Caught for food. Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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