Slender Mudskipper, Periophthalmus gracilis Eggert 1935

Other Names: Graceful Mudskipper

A male Slender Mudskipper, Periophthalmus gracilis, at Cairns, Queensland, October 2017. Source: coenobita / iNaturalist.org. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:

A pale brown to greyish mudskipper with a white underside, a large black blotch on the rear of the first dorsal fin, irregular white blotches on the lower side of the head, narrow iridescent bluish bars on the side, and 5-7 irregular diagonal saddle-like dark bars and smaller irregular brown blotches along the back.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2017, Periophthalmus gracilis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 01 Apr 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2257

Quick Facts

CAAB Code:37428220

Biology:Amphibious

Habitat:Mangrove-lined creeks

Max Size:4.5 cm SL

Species Image Gallery

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Distribution	Ludmilla Creek, Northern Territory, and Cape York to the Burnett River, Queensland.Elsewhere the species occurs in the tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.
Features	Dorsal fin VI-XII + 1`-13; Anal fin 11-13; Longitudinal scale count 35-70; TRDB 14-20; Head width 14.2-19.3%SL; pelvic fin length 11.7-15.1%SL; length of anal fin base 17.8-21.1%SL; length of D2 base 18.8-21.3%SL; pelvic fins with no frenum and no basal membrane uniting inner rays.
Colour	Pale brown above, underside white; head and body with 7 anteriorly directed, diagonal, brown bars: two on head, one between first and second dorsal fins, two beneath second dorsal fin, and two on caudal peduncle; small, brown spot on midline of snout near upper jaw, another spot ventral to first dorsal fin and a spot ventral to origin of first dorsal fin; first dorsal fin short, rounded, with a broad, brown stripe that terminates posteriorly into a large, black spot; first dorsal-fin margin clear, basal portions of spines II -VI yellowish, interspinous membranes brown mesially along basal portion of fin; distal tips of second dorsal-fin rays dusky yellow, a narrow, brown stripe mesially with brown spots on elements basally; a series of 2-6 brown spots on caudal fin elements; pectoral fin elements with brown spots; anal and pelvic fins clear.
Etymology	The specific name gracilis is Latin meaning 'slender', in reference to the slender body of this species.
Species Citation	Periophthalmus gracilis Eggert 1935, Zoologische Jahrbücher 67: 79, pl. 6(22). Type locality: Tjilatjap, Java; Mole, Jakarta (as Batavia); Sumatra, Indonesia.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2017
Resources	Australian Fuanal Directory

Slender Mudskipper, Periophthalmus gracilis Eggert 1935