Post by Allaquatica on Jan 20, 2007 21:51:53 GMT -5
Periophthalmus barbatus
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Other names:...........none
Origin:......................Brackish waters of African estuaries
Max size:..................6"
PH:............-..............8.0-8.5
Temperature:...........77-86 F.
Min tank size:..........35 gallons
Food:.........................live foods, pellets
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Mudskippers are gobies that have become adapted to an amphibious lifestyle. They are common on tidal mudflats throughout tropical Africa, Asia and Australasia where they crawl about out of water feeding on small animals and algae. A number of mudskippers of the genus Periophthalmus and Boleophthalmus are seen from time to time, but it is the common mudskipper Periophthalmus barbatus that is the most frequently imported. Although hardy, it does require very specialised quarters to do well.
A mudskipper tank needs to have both a shallow water area and some gently sloping sand or rocks on which the mudskippers can climb out and feed. The ideal tank would be quite long and tall. The basic terrain can be made using water worn, smooth pebbles and driftwood. A mix of fine gravel and silver sand can be used to fill in the spaces. A bank or island area is essential. The depth of water need only be about 10 to 15 cms (4 to 6 inches).
The tank must have a close fitting lid sufficient to prevent the fish escaping and also to keep the air within the aquarium warm and humid. Some ventilation must be provided though, such as by making small holes in the lid, to prevent mould.
Although an regular tank heater can be used, it is advisable to place a mesh "heater guard" around it to stop the mudskipper climbing onto it. Alternatively, use a canister filter with a built in heater or use the undertank heaters sold for reptile and amphibian vivaria.
Filtration should be by an electric canister filter, either internal or external. Because the quantity of water is quite small, and only a small part of the substrate is shallow enough to support aerobic bacteria, an undergravel filter is not viable.
The water should be alkaline (pH over 8) and very hard. Incorporate some calcareous material in the filter, and decorate the fish tank liberally with sea shells. The exact salinity varies for the various species. None will thrive in freshwater, but not all require full strength sea water. They will do well in water with a specific gravity of 1.005 to 1.015. The water current should be quite strong but not turbulent.
Mudskippers are territorial when mature. Since they are quite large fish, the aquarium should be sufficiently spacious: one fish to each 20 to 30 cms (8 to 12 inch) length of the aquarium should be adequate. Periophthalmus barbatus is one of the smaller species, mature at 15 cms (6 inches). Periophthalmus papilio is larger, reaching 25 cms (10 inches).
Both Periophthalmus species are essentially goby-like, but with flattened faces and with the eyes locate right on the top of the head. The dorsal fins are patterned with bright blue and red when mature. They display to one another by raising and lowering this fin. They feed on chunky live foods like bloodworms, tubifex worms and crickets.
The less terrestrial Boleophthalmus pectinirostrosis grows to about 20 cms (8 inches) and is rather more goby-like shape. The eyes are located in a more normal position. It lacks the bright coloured dorsal fins of Periophthalmus. It feeds on smaller food items than Periophthalmus, such as worms and algae. It will also take flake. Smear wet flake on smooth pebbles at feeding time, initially with bloodworms or similar to coax the mudskippers into feeding.
Mudskippers are best kept alone or with fiddler crabs. In a really big tank, with water at least 15 cms (6 inches) deep and 60 cms (24 inches) broad, similar sized fishes can be combined such as young archerfish, monos and scats.
Many thanks to Neale Monks for this info!
taken from: www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/brackish/mudskip.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other names:...........none
Origin:......................Brackish waters of African estuaries
Max size:..................6"
PH:............-..............8.0-8.5
Temperature:...........77-86 F.
Min tank size:..........35 gallons
Food:.........................live foods, pellets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mudskippers are gobies that have become adapted to an amphibious lifestyle. They are common on tidal mudflats throughout tropical Africa, Asia and Australasia where they crawl about out of water feeding on small animals and algae. A number of mudskippers of the genus Periophthalmus and Boleophthalmus are seen from time to time, but it is the common mudskipper Periophthalmus barbatus that is the most frequently imported. Although hardy, it does require very specialised quarters to do well.
A mudskipper tank needs to have both a shallow water area and some gently sloping sand or rocks on which the mudskippers can climb out and feed. The ideal tank would be quite long and tall. The basic terrain can be made using water worn, smooth pebbles and driftwood. A mix of fine gravel and silver sand can be used to fill in the spaces. A bank or island area is essential. The depth of water need only be about 10 to 15 cms (4 to 6 inches).
The tank must have a close fitting lid sufficient to prevent the fish escaping and also to keep the air within the aquarium warm and humid. Some ventilation must be provided though, such as by making small holes in the lid, to prevent mould.
Although an regular tank heater can be used, it is advisable to place a mesh "heater guard" around it to stop the mudskipper climbing onto it. Alternatively, use a canister filter with a built in heater or use the undertank heaters sold for reptile and amphibian vivaria.
Filtration should be by an electric canister filter, either internal or external. Because the quantity of water is quite small, and only a small part of the substrate is shallow enough to support aerobic bacteria, an undergravel filter is not viable.
The water should be alkaline (pH over 8) and very hard. Incorporate some calcareous material in the filter, and decorate the fish tank liberally with sea shells. The exact salinity varies for the various species. None will thrive in freshwater, but not all require full strength sea water. They will do well in water with a specific gravity of 1.005 to 1.015. The water current should be quite strong but not turbulent.
Mudskippers are territorial when mature. Since they are quite large fish, the aquarium should be sufficiently spacious: one fish to each 20 to 30 cms (8 to 12 inch) length of the aquarium should be adequate. Periophthalmus barbatus is one of the smaller species, mature at 15 cms (6 inches). Periophthalmus papilio is larger, reaching 25 cms (10 inches).
Both Periophthalmus species are essentially goby-like, but with flattened faces and with the eyes locate right on the top of the head. The dorsal fins are patterned with bright blue and red when mature. They display to one another by raising and lowering this fin. They feed on chunky live foods like bloodworms, tubifex worms and crickets.
The less terrestrial Boleophthalmus pectinirostrosis grows to about 20 cms (8 inches) and is rather more goby-like shape. The eyes are located in a more normal position. It lacks the bright coloured dorsal fins of Periophthalmus. It feeds on smaller food items than Periophthalmus, such as worms and algae. It will also take flake. Smear wet flake on smooth pebbles at feeding time, initially with bloodworms or similar to coax the mudskippers into feeding.
Mudskippers are best kept alone or with fiddler crabs. In a really big tank, with water at least 15 cms (6 inches) deep and 60 cms (24 inches) broad, similar sized fishes can be combined such as young archerfish, monos and scats.
Many thanks to Neale Monks for this info!
taken from: www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/brackish/mudskip.htm
