The Atlantic mudskippers are used by humans as food, bait, ornamental fishes, and for medicine. It is important to local indigenous peoples as a food fish and can also be found in the aquarium trade. Fishing has caused population declines in parts of the species' range. Mudskippers can be used as a bio-indicator of pollution in marine ecosystems as they are sensitive to the environment and have an absorptive body. Analyses can be performed by examining various organs of the mudskipper. The digestive system, gills, and skin are common places of the Atlantic mudskipper that are contaminated by heavy metals, like copper and iron. A less invasive method of using mudskippers as a bio-indicator is to use their growth and development as a measure for potential contamination.
