Shuttles hoppfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shuttles hoppfish |
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The shuttles hoppfish or shuttles mudskipper (Periophthalmus modestus) is a very special type of fish. It's known for being able to spend a lot of time out of the water! These unique fish live in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. You can find them in countries like Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
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About the Shuttles Hoppfish
The shuttles hoppfish is a kind of mudskipper. Mudskippers are fish that have adapted to live in muddy areas. They can breathe air through their skin and mouth lining. This allows them to survive outside of water for long periods.
Where They Live
These fish make their homes in different types of water. They can be found in fresh water, salty ocean water, and even brackish water. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and salty water, often found where rivers meet the sea.
You can usually spot shuttles hoppfish in muddy places. This includes river mouths (estuaries), flat areas near the ocean (tidal flats), and swampy marshes. They are very common in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other parts of Southeast Asia that have mangrove wetlands.
What Makes Them Special
One of the most amazing things about the shuttles hoppfish is how long it can stay out of water. As long as its skin stays wet, it can survive on land for up to 60 hours! That's two and a half days. They do this by keeping their skin moist.
These fish are not very big. They can grow to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. This measurement is taken from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail.
Shuttles Hoppfish and People
Sometimes, people keep shuttles hoppfish as pets. They are part of the aquarium trade. This means you might find them for sale in pet stores that specialize in fish.
They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine. This is a system of medicine that has been practiced in China for thousands of years.
