Giant Mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Periophthalmodon ("toothy Pthalmodon") schlosseri (after J. A Schlosser)

Adult Giant Mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 27cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Giant Mudskipper is the largest member of it's family in the region and found on muddy shores around the region.  The mudskippers are are members of the the goby family that have specialised into being able to survive out of water for extended periods of time through a number of specialised adaptations including pectoral fins that function as primitive legs and the ability to breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth as long as they are wet.  When the tide is high they live in muddy burrows to evade preadators.

Related Species:
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobioidei
Genus: Periophthalmodon
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Ikan Belacak Gargasi ("Giant Mud-fish")

A locally common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Abundant near the river mouth in Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Yellow-spotted mudskipper (Periophthalmus walailakae)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Periophthalmus ("Round Eye") walailakae (after Walailak Uniersity)

Adult Yellow-spotted Mudskipper (Periophthalmus walailakae) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 8-13cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Another species of Mudskipper, this one smaller than the previous species I have encountered.  In the Mangroves of Sungeih Buloh, Mudskippers seemed fairly common, being a more classical habitat for them than the somewhat polluted urban shoreline of Malacca.  As with other species, they create little ponds little pools to live in before emerging at low tide.

Related Species:
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobioidei
Genus: Periophthalmus
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A local resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Gold-spotted Mudskipper (Periophthalmus chrysospilos)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Periophthalmus ("Round Eye") chrysospilos ("gold hair")

Adult Golden-spotted Mudskipper (Periophthalmus chrysospilos) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 6-12cm
NOT PRESENT IN UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

A somewhat smaller species of mudskipper than the Giant which I saw in the same location, the golden spots being a distinctive point of identification.  It is found around the Western side of South-East asia, plus a section of the coast of India.  Apparently when the tide has risen they swim around in small shoals, although the individual I saw was on it's own.

Related Species:
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobioidei
Genus: Periophthalmus
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Local name (Malay): ?

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Some near the river mouth in Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .