<< Previous Next >>

Blue-spotted Mudskipper


Blue-spotted Mudskipper
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1891 W: 109 N: 4406] (14657)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-09
Categories: Fish
Camera: Canon Powershot S2-IS, Canon 12x zoom 36-432mm equivalent
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/50 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My trips to Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore, Underwater Wonder World 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-10-05 7:30
Viewed: 23177
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Blue-spotted Mudskipper (Boleophthalmus boddarti)
is a large species that can be found in Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Slightly smaller than the Giant Mudskipper, they are still quite impressive at up 22cm long. The distinctive blue chevron markings instead of two lines down their body makes them easy to identify.

Maybe not the sharpnest image, I was on full zome and this is cropped heavily, but a worthwhile post I think.

These mudskippers are vegetarians and graze on algae and other titbits that are left behind by the tide on the mudflats. They harvest this by skimming the mud surface with side-to-side movements of their heads.

They have a more vigorous courtship than the Giant Mudskipper. The males attract females by leaping into the air, raising their colourful dorsal fins at the peak of their acrobatic flip.

Mudskippers are found along the intertidal zone, living happily on the margin of land and sea. They have special adaptations to help them dominate a habitat which few other animals can exploit: soft mud with fluctuating water quantities and qualities.

How do they breathe on land? Underwater, mudskippers breathe through gills like other fishes. However, unlike other fishes, mudskippers can't stay underwater indefinitely. Other fishes asphyxiate when taken out of water because their gill filaments stick together and cannot absorb gaseous oxygen. Mudskippers can retain water in enlarged gill chambers which lock shut on land. Sort of reverse scuba gear, to keep their gills remain moist on land. They rotate their eyes to swill the water in the gill chambers around and keep the gills fluffed up and oxygenated.

Mudskippers can actually breathe air. They can absorb gaseous oxygen through blood-rich membranes at the back of the mouth and throat (buccopharyngeal cavity). They also absorb air through their skin which is rich with blood capillaries, so long as the skin remains moist. This is why they often roll in puddles and keep their tails in water, leading some early observers to believe that mudskippers breathed through their tails! Mudskippers also have to regularly replenish the water in their gill chambers so they cannot stay far from water. Giant Mudskippers have among the best land-adapted gills: shorter filaments reinforced with rods so they don't collapse easily out of water.

Do they walk? Mudskippers have arm-like pectoral fins which even have little "elbows". But they do not move these alternately in the way that we walk. Instead they make little hops by keeping their body rigid and jerking forwards on their pectoral fins; called "crutching" because the movement is similar to that of a person on crutches. They leave typical trails on the mud (right).

info source http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/mudskipper.htm

thanks for looking
jcoowanitwong, mikou, fartash, Argus, valy67, blakitan, Alex99, SkyF, thor68, Christopher_PL has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Chris,
An excellent shot on this Blue-spotted Mudskipper. Well composed and framed. You caught a nice rreflection in the water to really add a nice touch to the shot. Great notes too.
Scott

Hi Chris,
Nice shot and composition. Sharpness, composition, pov, exposure are great. Outstanding picture.
JC

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 840 W: 67 N: 1311] (5269)
  • [2006-10-05 11:06]

Hi Chris,
Excellent capture.Very good POV,nice details.Colours is really nature.Perfect composition and pretty take-off in waters.
Very nice.

TFS and greetings
Milos.

Hey Chris
What a great shot,nice colors
composition and colors,i haven't
seen one of these Blue-spotted Mudskipper,
Excellent

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4079 W: 190 N: 12063] (37165)
  • [2006-10-05 11:55]

Fine shot, Chris.
I particularly like the lighting and the mud-skipper's reflection. TFS this and extensive info.
Regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 59 N: 2945] (8819)
  • [2006-10-05 15:08]

Hello Chris !
this is such a strange creature, something we don't see very often on TN. you have captured it so nicely, with nice details and excellent colors, and a wonderful composition. the reflection on the water is beautiful and your note is very instructive. Very well done, and thanks !
Valérie.

Hi Chris,
Greatly captured. Well composed picture. Sharp and great details. Superb shot.

Ben Lakitan

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3685 W: 143 N: 5816] (18981)
  • [2006-10-08 14:48]

Hi Chris.
Amazing captured scene and skilful executed shot. Excellent colours and contrast, perfect reflection of the serious look of the Mudskipper and its expressive eyes. Superb done and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2006-10-09 8:17]

Hi Chris,
now thats different a fish on land and it seems to enjoy a rest in the sun. Very nice capture, with great details and good sharpness. The info you added is great it completes this wonderful portrait of this strange animal.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-10-09 19:30]

Hello Chris

What an interesting creature.You have captured it well.Excellent DOF and POV.The details are very clear,it enables us to get a good look at this strange creature.Nice reflection in the water too.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1314] (5646)
  • [2006-10-10 17:44]

wow, cool fish. excellent post, chris! :-)
the shot´s great, well composed, with some great details
and a terrific accompanying note.
everyday something new.
thanks for this & take care, thorsten.

Hi
It's really amazing creature - just from the past. The only one place where can I see animals like that is Discovery Channel ;-D
TFS

Chris

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF