Family : GOBIIDAE
Species : Periophthalmus novemradiatus
Maximum Length : 7 cm

References : F2

Links : The Mudskipper.org

This small mudskipper inhabits various mangrove habitats in a wide intertidal range, and can also be found in man-made prawn ponds. It is also reportedly occurs in sandy and rocky coastlines. Its burrows are built in the upper part of the intertidal zone.

The species has no really distinctive  features which can be seen in situ :  the key identifying feature is the dark grey to black edging of the gills beneath the throat area.

The background body colour is brown, becoming lighter grey ventrally, and there are a series of thick black bars or saddles across the back. There are also numerous tiny, bluish spots on the cheeks and flanks.

The front dorsal fin has nine spines, and a grey to black stripe which is darker at the front. The rear dorsal fin has a yellow margin.

The Dusky-gilled Mudskipper occurs in the eastern parts of the Indian Ocean, and much of Southeast Asia.