Fish That “Walk” on Land

Mudskipper

This amphibious fish uses its pectoral fins like legs to walk, hop, and even climb on muddy surfaces near mangroves.

Climbing Perch

Native to Southeast Asia, it can use its gill plates and fins to crawl across land in search of new water bodies.

Snakehead Fish

These invasive fish can breathe air and wriggle across wet land to travel between ponds and streams.

Walking Catfish

Common in South Asia, it uses strong pectoral fins to “walk” across wet ground during migration or drought.

Bichir

Often found in Africa, bichirs have lungs and can move on land with a serpentine crawl—like a prehistoric throwback.

Lungfish

Able to survive dry seasons by burrowing and breathing air, lungfish can slither on muddy surfaces when needed.

Eel Catfish

This African fish pushes itself forward using its head and body and is capable of climbing onto land for hunting insects.