From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Peacock Gudgeon
Tateurndina ocellicauda
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
- pH
- 6.5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Diet
- carnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Tateurndina ocellicauda |
| Family: | Eleotridae |
| Origin: | Papua New Guinea (rainforest streams and ponds) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | carnivore |
| Max Size: | 7.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 2+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains, and none are needed — the wild fish is as colourful as anything the trade has produced by selection. Individual variation is considerable, particularly in the intensity of the red barring on the flanks and the size of the black ocellus at the tail base. Males in a settled tank develop far more colour than shop fish show. Most trade specimens are captive-bred, and the species breeds readily enough that hobbyist-bred fish are widely available. The peacock gudgeon is the only species in its genus. Several related eleotrids reach the trade and are different fish. The empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) is an Australian species with spectacular breeding males. Mogurnda species, the purple-spotted gudgeons, are larger and more predatory. Various Tateurndina lookalikes are occasionally offered under trade names. Do not confuse it with the true gobies sold for freshwater tanks — bumblebee gobies (Brachygobius) need harder and often brackish water, and stiphodon gobies are algae-grazing hillstream fish. Neither shares this species' requirements. |
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with caves and cover
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low to moderate (gentle flow)
Peacock Gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is a species of fish in the family Eleotridae. It is native to Papua New Guinea (rainforest streams and ponds). The peacock gudgeon is a 7.5 cm fish carrying blue, yellow, red and black in a combination that looks designed rather than evolved, finished with a black eye-spot at the base of the tail. It comes from rainforest streams and ponds in Papua New Guinea. It is not a goby, despite being sold as one — it belongs to the Eleotridae, the sleepers or gudgeons, a related family whose members lack the fused pelvic fins that make a true goby a goby. It is peaceful, easy, and one of the best centrepiece fish available for a small planted tank. Males develop a pronounced nuchal hump on the forehead; females carry a yellow belly the males lack, which makes this one of the few species where each sex has its own marker. It is a cave spawner with male parental care, and it breeds readily. It also jumps, so cover the tank.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 2+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Peacock Gudgeon
Matched on family, then category, then water type