Species Snapshot
- Species Name: Tateurndina ocellicauda
- Common Names: peacock gudgeon, peacock goby
- Size: Up to 3 inches
- Lifespan: 4-5 years
- Native Distribution: Papua New Guinea
Whether you’re looking for a colorful addition to a tropical community tank or deciding what species to feature in a new nano tank, consider the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda). These little fish are known for their vibrant coloration and unique appearance. Here’s what you need to know about peacock gudgeons.
Anatomy and Appearance
The peacock gudgeon is also sometimes called the peacock goby, though they aren’t part of the goby family. This species belongs to the family Eleotridae and it’s the only member of its genus, endemic to Papua New Guinea. Peacock gudgeons inhabit still and slow-moving bodies of water, often seen hovering just above the substrate in large schools.
As their name suggests, the peacock gudgeon exhibits vibrant colors. These fish have rounded heads and long, slender bodies that taper toward the caudal fin. Peacock gudgeons are typically silver-blue with subtle yellow coloration on the belly and dotted red stripes running vertically along the length of the body.
Adding to their bright coloration, peacock gudgeons have vibrant yellow color along the outside edges of their fins. In females, some peacock gudgeons develop a thin strip of black outside the yellow color. Both males and females also have a large black spot on the tail, sometimes known as an “eye spot.”
Ideal Aquarium Setup
In stable conditions, peacock gudgeons are not particularly challenging to keep. It’s best, however, to design a tank to accommodate their needs to give your fish their best chance at thriving.
Tank Size
Peacock gudgeons grow to a maximum length of around 3 inches, so they’re a popular choice for freshwater nano tanks. That said, they’re happiest when kept in groups, so make sure your tank is large enough to safely accommodate the number of fish you choose.
A minimum tank size of 15 gallons is recommended for a small group of peacock gudgeons. If you plan to keep a larger group or add other community fish, however, you’ll need a larger tank.
Water Parameters
Because peacock gudgeons are endemic to a small area, their preferences for water chemistry are fairly narrow. They prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic water. That said, most of the peacock gudgeons available in the aquarium hobby today are tank-bred and may be adaptable to a wider range of parameters.
The ideal tank parameters for peacock gudgeons are:
- Temperature: 72°F to 80°F
- pH Level: 6.0 to 7.8
- Water Hardness: 5-12 dKH
As with any aquarium fish, peacock gudgeons require consistent tank conditions in order to thrive. It’s wise to test your tap water before committing to this species. If the chemistry falls too far outside this species’ preferred range, you might have to rely too heavily on water additives to make the tank suitable. In this case, it would be best to consider a different species.
Tank Décor
In the wild, peacock gudgeons inhabit shallow, slow-moving bodies of water like small streams and ponds. A peacock gudgeon tank should be designed to mimic the species’ native habitat, so avoid creating too much flow with powerheads and provide plenty of places for your fish to hide.
A densely planted tank is ideal for peacock gudgeons. Stock your tank with an array of hardy species like java fern and Anubias as well as free-floating plants like hornwort and water sprite. Keep in mind that peacock gudgeons will weave through the plants, so avoid anything that’s too delicate.
In addition to plants, decorate your tank with plenty of driftwood and rockwork. Peacock gudgeons love to explore their habitat, so get creative building caves and other points of intrigue in your tank.
Diet and Feeding
Wild peacock gudgeons feed on insects, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. In captivity, they can be picky at times and generally seem to prefer protein-rich live and frozen foods. Some of the best options include bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Temperament and Tank Mates
The peacock gudgeon is a gentle species that gets along well with most other peaceful community fish. They prefer to be kept with 6-8 of their species but do not necessarily need to be kept in a species-only tank. It’s important to keep their requirements for water chemistry in mind when choosing tank mates and selecting fish with similar needs.
Focus on small to medium-sized tropical freshwater species that won’t prey on your peacock gudgeons or stress them out. Some good options include ember tetras, celestial pearl danios, harlequin rasboras, and cherry barbs. Peaceful bottom-feeders like Corydoras catfish also work well.
Breeding Peacock Gudgeons
Peacock gudgeons are relatively easy to have sex. Both males and females are brightly colored but the color tends to be more intense in males—especially the yellow on their bellies. Males tend to be slightly larger than females and may also develop a pronounced bump on their forehead which adds to the rounded appearance of the head.
Breeding peacock gudgeons is best accomplished in groups. Start with a group of juveniles and raise them for maturity, watching for them to start pairing off. When they do, you can move the pair to a separate breeding tank. It should have some kind of cave or a protected space the pair can establish as their territory.
Performing a large water change may help stimulate breeding activity. The pair should be offered plenty of protein-rich foods and the tank parameters should be kept as stable as possible. When the pair is ready to breed, the male will make courtship displays for the female, flaring his fins. If the female accepts, she’ll deposit between 50 and 100 eggs in the cave and then leave so the male can fertilize them.
Male peacock gudgeons care for the eggs as they incubate. You’ll see the fish guarding the cave and fanning the eggs with its fins. The eggs should hatch after 8-10 days and become free-swimming a day or two later. At this point, the adults will usually leave the fry to fend for themselves. If you want to raise the fry, it may be best to return the adult fish to the community tank so you can concentrate on the fry.
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