Mudskippers And Brackish Tanks.

HI all! I was looking into mudskippers recently (I have very severe MTS) and I found out that they're brackish fish! I've been keeping freshwater fish for my whole life, and actually started caring for them as a hobby/addiction two years ago give or take. I was wondering, how do brackish tanks... Work (I couldn't find the right word)? I've been researching them but there's something I'm not getting.
Brackish water questions: Would I need a protein skimmer? A special filter? Would an acclimated saltwater bacteria colony work, or does it have to be freshwater?
Mudskipper questions: How hardy are mudskippers? Could I feed them any non-live food? Do they need a heat lamp or would I only heat the water? How many gallons does one African mudskipper need?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I need all the help I can get!

 

Brackish is the water where the ocean meets a stream or other freshwater source and they mix. To recreate brackish water you add ocean water substitute like Instant Ocean to fresh water. The degree of salinity is measured in specific gravity. When looking at parameters for fish there will be a window, like 1.002 - 1.005 or 1.008 to 1.012, where the fish is comfortable. You keep the specific gravity of your tank in that window for healthy fish. Most people use a simple hydrometer to measure specific gravity. You can get one anywhere saltwater supplies are carried.

Most brackish setups don't require special equipment. You don't need a protein skimmer, although it may be a good idea to get filters and whatnot that are suitable for both fresh and salt water.

Many plants can be adapted to lower end brackish setups: java fern, java moss, various grasses and so on, so planted tanks are doable.

Hopefully, a mudskipper keeper will be along to answer specific questions , in the mean time a search should bring up lots of information to start your journey.

Good luck!

 

Brackish is the water where the ocean meets a stream or other freshwater source and they mix. To recreate brackish water you add ocean water substitute like Instant Ocean to fresh water. The degree of salinity is measured in specific gravity. When looking at parameters for fish there will be a window, like 1.002 - 1.005 or 1.008 to 1.012, where the fish is comfortable. You keep the specific gravity of your tank in that window for healthy fish. Most people use a simple hydrometer to measure specific gravity. You can get one anywhere saltwater supplies are carried.

Most brackish setups don't require special equipment. You don't need a protein skimmer, although it may be a good idea to get filters and whatnot that are suitable for both fresh and salt water.

Many plants can be adapted to lower end brackish setups: java fern, java moss, various grasses and so on, so planted tanks are doable.

Hopefully, a mudskipper keeper will be along to answer specific questions , in the mean time a search should bring up lots of information to start your journey.

Good luck!

Thank you!

 

You would be using freshwater archaea/ nitrosoma for low end brackish.
I don't recommend a heat lamp, but the room will need to be kept in the 70's.
They tend to be like most gobies, in that they will grab anything that gets their attention.
I wouldn't do less than 20 gallons and do more than one. Most people get them and are all excited all about it, then when they see that they are very inactive..... putting them with fish should help this. Also really get into the design of the tank and change it regularly so the males will challenge each other for territory.

 

You would be using freshwater archaea/ nitrosoma for low end brackish.
I don't recommend a heat lamp, but the room will need to be kept in the 70's.
They tend to be like most gobies, in that they will grab anything that gets their attention.
I wouldn't do less than 20 gallons and do more than one. Most people get them and are all excited all about it, then when they see that they are very inactive..... putting them with fish should help this. Also really get into the design of the tank and change it regularly so the males will challenge each other for territory.

Thank you so much! Do you know which types of mudskipper would fit in a 30 gallon tank and how many? My LFS carries African mudskippers I think, they're all about 4-5 inches long. Would those work? I heard green spotted puffers work with them!

 

You could put 3-5 in a 30 depending on how you design the tank. If you use a shelf and build the beach on the shelf as opposed to running the beach up from the bottom of the tank. Some nice driftwood on for them to climb up would be nice, but you will have to replace it frequently. Driftwood breaks down faster in brackish water than with freshwater. The puffer may or may not work, as he may pick at the mud skippers. Have a backup plan if he starts doing this as it will only get worse.

 

You could put 3-5 in a 30 depending on how you design the tank. If you use a shelf and build the beach on the shelf as opposed to running the beach up from the bottom of the tank. Some nice driftwood on for them to climb up would be nice, but you will have to replace it frequently. Driftwood breaks down faster in brackish water than with freshwater. The puffer may or may not work, as he may pick at the mud skippers. Have a backup plan if he starts doing this as it will only get worse.

Okay! In your opinion, which fish would work the best? Thank you so much, there aren't many great care sheets out there

 

Couple of Chromides or mollies would be about all you could do. For care, you can use Atlantic Mudskipper at seriouslyfish

 

I'm not sure I would put one in a 30 gallon tank. The dwarf species still reaches 4 inches, and needs more than a couple of square feet per fish for territory. The larger species, such as the African Periophthalmus barbarus, can get over 10 inches. I have seen these africans being sold, some were over 6 inches in the store.

Personally, I think this species falls into the category of "specialist only" keeping. The average aquarist is not going to be able to give them an appropriate environment.

 

I'm not sure I would put one in a 30 gallon tank. The dwarf species still reaches 4 inches, and needs more than a couple of square feet per fish for territory. The larger species, such as the African Periophthalmus barbarus, can get over 10 inches. I have seen these africans being sold, some were over 6 inches in the store.

Personally, I think this species falls into the category of "specialist only" keeping. The average aquarist is not going to be able to give them an appropriate environment.

Hm. I'm not completely set on having mudskippers, but I'd rather see what's involved in caring for them then just brushing them aside. If I had one or two dwarf mudskippers, would that fit in the tank? Again, I'm just curious what I'd have to do.