The mudskipper goes to great lengths to attract a mate. Each species of mudskipper has its own courtship style. The amorous Gold-spotted Mudskipper starts off by selecting a site on the mudflat not too near the other burrows, for he treasures his privacy. Then he builds a burrow by scooping out mouthfuls of mud and dumping the mud around the burrow entrance. His house completed, the mudskipper casts his roving eyes around, and when he spots an attractive female, wags his tail and jumps around with his dorsal fins erect.

The curious female edges closer for a better view, and this makes him show off even more. With his head held high, he puffs up his orange throat for her to see, then disappears head first into the burrow. The female lingers coyly outside the burrow until he reappears and starts blowing bubbles her way. Falling for his bubbles, she follows him into the tunnel of love.

After mating, the pair emerge from the burrow. There she sits smugly at the edge of the burrow, while her mate scampers about defending the territory. He is kept busy chasing away rival males trying to grab his mate, as well as mangrove crabs out to usurp him from his home. So there you have it: the intimate secrets of this most unusual creature.

Come see this versatile fish in action at Sungei Buloh now.