HELP!! new mudskipper owner

09grlee

AC Members
May 29, 2009
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okay my gf wanted these mudskippers we found at the pet shop (indian i believe) and we set it up just like they had at the store. we bought a small plastic tank with a tight lid and pink aquarium rocks (gravel like). At the shop they just have a 20 gal tank with floating pieces of styrofoam. So we went to ben franklin and grabbed sphere styrofoam pieces, cut them in half and then made them into floating islands. We tried feeding them small grainal fish food. After reading up online, it sounds like this set up will FAIL. is brackish water necessary? we used tap water. My gf really likes these things and i need help since i'll need to take care of them in the long run..lol

also..is using a filter necessary?

shes looking for something thats very easy to set up and maintain..

THANKS SO MUCH!
 
How big is the tank?

and yes brackish water is 100% necessary
using a filter is also 100% necessary

if she wants something easy to take care of... mudskippers are not that-- they are generally for only the seasoned aquarist
 
[FONT=arial,verdana,helvetica]Here is everything you probably didnt want to know. Good luck.

http://fish.mongabay.com/species/Periophthalmus_barbarus.html said:
Habitat: brackish waters of tidal estuaries and mangrove swamps from the Red Sea to

Aquarium: A 36" (90 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is minimal. The tank must have dry areas, bank or beach is suggested or perhaps partially emerged wood. The water level should not exceed 12" (30 cm) deep. The air temperature should be the same as the water, so there should be a tight-fitting cover. Use plants that can tolerate brackish water such as young mangrove trees. Use a coral sand substrate. The tank should have an efficient filtration system as this species is a greedy eater.

Water chemistry: 7-8.5 (7.5), 10-25 dH (12), 77-86°F (25-30°C). The Mudskipper
requires a 1-2% addition of salt. Add 7.5-15 tsp. of salt per 10 gallons (10-20 g/10 L).

Social behavior: A territorial species that frequently leaves the water. Do not combine with small fish as they may be consumed.

Suggested companions: Anableps, Toxotes, Scats, Monos, Arius.
FOOD: Live; worms, crickets, flies, meal worms, beetles, small fish, crustaceans; flakes; tablets

Sexual differences: Unknown
Breeding techniques: Unknown
Breeding potential: 10. Has not been bred in captivity.

REMARKS: The species will leave water for long periods of time. They breathe through the many blood vessels located in the mucus wall of the mouth and pharynx. The Mudskipper can control gill opening to create more surface area, so more oxygen can be exchanged. The gills must remain moist at all times. The Mudskipper is well-known for its ability to climb small shrubs. The Mudskipper "walks" on its pectoral fins. They are capable of making small jumps from plant to plant. The Mudskipper can become very friendly and trusting around humans. Mudskippers are not usually available in aquarium stores.

Difficulty of care: 7. An interesting species that requires much maintenance
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This is my set-up for my africans. The Indians would be happy with this too. I use playsand and argonite sand with small pebbles and river rocks.
I feed them frozen krill (thawed of course) and a frozen pea (thawed also) once in a while. They like the Hikari soft sinking foods. They like to be fed on dry land. I have never seen them eat in the water, they will just let it rot. Good luck with them. There are a couple of people with mudskipper expierence on thes forum. Don't hesitate to ask.

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jackiomy, that is a gorgeous tank for your lil 'skippers!

Thank you. They decided to dig it all up the past 2 weeks so I am rescaping this weekend. Little brats. LOL
 
You can't tell it because of the condensation on the glass but the back left corner of her tank has a cascading waterfall structure that contains the filter inside, hidden.:thm:

Water falls down a series of ledges or irregularities on the structure. It is so cool.

Jacki is a pro!! Her skippers are fat and healthy little buggers, lol. One of them is my namesake. "Mel" (she's the one that is the prettiest :evil_lol:)
 
wow thanks for all the helpp..lol

okay so it looks like you need a legit set up..
**** pet store workers told me its easy..lol

well the tank is really small..i dont know the actual volume right now but its the plastic clear ones..prob between 3-5?

and the observation that they eat on land helps..

THANKS..

more help still..lol
 
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