Mudskipper You know the old saying “like a fish out of water”, which usually refers to something awkward and out of place. Well, the people who coined that phrase have never met the Mudskipper. This is the only known fish that spends most of their time on land. This includes eating, mating and even fighting. Another unusual aspect of mudskippers is that they are one of the few fishes that can actually drown if held underwater. They need to be able to poke their heads above the waters surface and gulp air. Mudskippers retain water in their large gill chamber that closes tightly when the fish is above water. This keeps the gills moist, and allows them to function. You will often see them rotate their eyes to mix the water in the gill chamber and keep the gills from sticking together while at the same time supplying them with oxygen. Photos by Daniel Trim
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 10:24:49 +0000
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