Reaching around 9 cm, this small mudskipper inhabits back mangrove, tidal mudflats and mixed sandy and rocky beaches. On quiet beaches, it appears to be mainly active at the narrow interface between gently lapping waves and beach sediments.
 
The species is identified by the thin, pale vertical lines along each flank, though in some specimens this may be absent. Another identifying feature are the dorsal fins which are banded in orange, black and creamy white.

The dorsal surface is patterned with alternating dark and light saddles, and the snout and cheeks are patterned with numerous pale spots.

The Silver-lined Mudskipper is wide-ranging, and occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and the western Pacific Ocean.    




Fig 1 : Specimen from Pulau Semakau, Singapore.

Fig 2 : Mixed sandy and pebbly beach habitat at Pulau Semakau, Singapore, which has a good population of the species.

Fig 3 : Adult specimen active at night on a rocky shoreline, Sedili Besar, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 4 : Close-up of the front and rear dorsal fins, with typical colour banding.

Order : Perciformes
Family : GOBIIDAE
Species : Periophthalmus argentilineatus
Maximum Length : 9 cm

References : F2

Links : The Mudskipper.org