Periophthalmus kalolo Lesson, 1831
Common mudskipper
Periophthalmus kalolo
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Oxudercidae (Mudskippers), subfamily: Periophthalminae
Max. size:  14.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Differs from P. argentilineatus by lacking thin silvery bars ventrally on the sides and having pelvic fins connected at the base by a low membrane (Ref. 37816); further characterized by: frenum of pelvic fins vestigial, but visible macroscopically; pelvic fins united by membrane for about one half their length; D1 height moderate, its margin rounded, black stripe inframarginally with numerous white spots proximally, no elongate spines; D2 with single dusky stripe inframarginally; dorsal fins not connected by membrane; D1 with 11-15 spines; longitudinal scale count 66-86; head width 16.5-22.5% SL; pelvic fin length 13.1-15.4% SL; length of anal fin base 15.9-18.7% SL; length ofD2 base 18.5-23.8% SL; total D2 elements 12-13; total analfin elements 11-12; TRDB 18-22 (Ref. 5218).
Biology:  Amphibious air-breather (Ref. 31184) that spends most of its time out of the water; able to meet its oxygen requirements as long as it stays wet. Typically resting on mud, rocks, or mangrove roots with their tails dipped in the water. Active at low tide and hunt in the intertidal zone for invertebrates; feeds on worms, crustaceans, and insects as well as polychaetes living on or near surface (Ref. 92840)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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