The Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) is a species of mudskipper native to fresh, marine, and brackish waters of the tropical Atlantic coasts of Africa, including most offshore islands. The Greek scientific name Periophthalmus barbarus is named after the eyes that provide the Atlantic mudskipper with a wide field of vision. The Atlantic mudskipper is a member of the genus Periophthalmus, which includes oxudercine gobies that have one row of canine-like teeth.

The Atlantic mudskipper can grow up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in body length. Similar to other members of the genus, it has dorsally positioned eyes and pectoral fins that aid in locomotion on land and in water. Atlantic mudskippers can skip, crawl, and climb on land using their pelvic and pectoral fins.

The Atlantic mudskipper is a semi-aquatic animal that occurs on tidal flats and mangrove forests, where it readily crosses mud and sand surfaces out of the water. The Atlantic mudskipper is carnivorous and utilises an ambushing strategy to capture prey. This involves using a 'hydrodynamic tongue' and water to suction the prey into the mouth.

Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 10.2 cm (4.0 in) for females and 10.8 cm (4.3 in) for males, making it one of the largest species of mudskippers. The Atlantic mudskipper can live up to 15 years. Atlantic mudskippers have been used by humans for food, bait, and medicinal purposes. The conservation status of the Atlantic mudskipper is classified as 'Least Concern'.

Atlantic mudskippers are found throughout West Africa, in mangrove swamps, and primarily brackish bodies of water near the coast. Countries where the mudskipper are found include Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Ghana.

The distribution of Atlantic mudskippers within these regions are influenced by the availability of food and shelter. The distribution may also be influenced by the Atlantic mudskipper's hibernation.

The scientific name Periophthalmus barbarus originates from Greek, where peri means 'around', and ophthalmos means 'eye', in reference to the Atlantic mudskipper's close-set eyes that provide it with a larger field of vision. In Greek, barbarus means 'foreign', potentially named after the foreign characteristics it has when compared to other gobies. The generic name 'mudskipper', is labelled after the 'skipping' movement on mudflats.

The Atlantic mudskippers are classified under oxudercine gobies, all of which live both on land and in water. Atlantic mudskippers dig burrows to seek refuge and reproduce. Previously, the Oxudercidae family was described as a one-species family, where members of the family were collectively named the species Oxuderces dentatus. Oxudercinae species are small to medium in body size, with an elongated body that is covered by small and smooth scales. Members of the Oxudercinae subfamily can also be identified through their dorsally positioned eyes and pointed teeth that resemble canine teeth. The dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins have spines, the number of which varies.