The mudhopper, a fish that can walk and climb trees, is classified by the International Biological Institute as one of the top 6 most exotic animals on the planet (the list includes the Axopotl; the Hungarian sheeping dog; the Tapir; the Angora rabbit; the Emperor tamarin, and the Mudhopper).

Despite its ugly appearance, mudhopper is considered a firm and delicious fish by the gourmets. The dishes made of mudhopper, such as mudhopper grilled with salt and chili, mudhopper soup with sauropus androgynus vegetable, mudhopper hot pot, and mudhopper stew with pepper, etc., are considered specialties of the southwestern provinces.

Recently, in some mudflats along the Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon, the mudhopper has appeared. Although the number and size of this fish are not "significant" like those in Bac Lieu, Can Gio, Ca Mau, and Go Cong, etc., the presence of this exotic fish contributes to the diversity of the flora and fauna ecosystem in the largest lagoon ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

Thua Thien Hue Online would like to introduce to readers some photos of the mudhoppers, captured by reporters after many days working in some mudflats along the Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon. At the same time, it hopes everyone would protect this fish when seeing it.

The mudhopper belongs to the Gobiidae family, which hides in deep cave. It can breathe by lung and gill

Its front fins function as its "hands" for terrestrial movement

... and throwing itself up high and running away when in danger

In addition to being able to climb trees...

The mudhoppers often move to high mounds or rocky ravines to... bath under the sunlight

With the eyes looked like two marbles attached to the top of the head, the mudhopper has a pretty funny appearance compared to other fishes.

When the water is low, this fish hides in cave, and waits for high water to go out to forage

Of course, the mudhopper... can still swim, and even run, jump and throw itself far above the water

A "relaxation" moment of a mudhopper

In Hue, some mangrove growing areas are the shelters of this fish

By Han Dang - Anh Tuan