Certain fish species can climb trees

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

2 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that certain fish species can climb trees?

Yes. Specific fish species, such as certain mudskippers, possess morphological adaptations that enable them to climb trees and other vertical terrestrial surfaces.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 2 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 5 Aug 2026

The analysis

Papers [0] and [2] explicitly document mudskippers (specifically Periophthalmus variabilis) climbing trees and rocks, establishing that certain fish species can indeed climb trees. The remaining papers discuss general amphibious locomotion, terrestrial movement, or fish biology without contesting this specific capability.

Evidence for · 2

The significance of pelvic fin flexibility for tree climbing fish.

2016

Demonstrates that the mudskipper species Periophthalmus variabilis climbs trees and rocks.

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Wicaksono, A., Hidayat, S., Damayanti, Y., Jin, D. S. M., Sintya, E., Retnoaji, B., & Alam, P. (2016). The significance of pelvic fin flexibility for tree climbing fish.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2016.06.007

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More for · 1

The water-hopping kinematics of the tree-climbing fish, Periophthalmus variabilis.

2020

Observes that Periophthalmus variabilis launches and lands on inclined-to-vertical surfaces such as rocks and trees.

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Wicaksono, A., Hidayat, S., Retnoaji, B., & Alam, P. (2020). The water-hopping kinematics of the tree-climbing fish, Periophthalmus variabilis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2020.125750

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Receipt History

first checked05 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 7205 Aug 2026

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