Peacock Gudgeon

Peacock gudgeon, also known as the peacock goby, is a freshwater fish of the Eleotridae family indigenous to the east of Papua New Guinea. Their multi-colored appearances with a prominent eyespot make them look beautiful and appealing as a peacock, resulting in their name. Their good look and pleasant behavior make them a sought-after choice among fish hobbyists.

Quick Information

Scientific Name	Tateurndina ocellicauda
Other Names	Peacock goby
Origin	Eastern parts of Papua New Guinea, and also in different parts of Australia and New Zealand
Type	Freshwater
Conservation Status	Not recorded
Behavioral Characteristics	Friendly, peaceful, adjustable, dwelling contentedly in their given territories with other small fish
School Size	6 – 8
Physical Traits	Long, slender body; round head, with a nuchal hump on the forehead, most prominent in males
Colors	Bluish and silvery with markings of black, yellow, and pink running throughout their body and fins; red stripes arranged laterally to their sides; yellow abdomen; and a big black eyespot at the starting point of their caudal fin
Size	Males: 7.5 cm (3 inches); Females: 5 cm (2 inches)
Lifespan	4 – 5 years
Sexual Dimorphism	Present; Males are larger with a more pronounced nuchal hump, rounder body, and less bright coloration on their abdomens, without any black bars on the anal fins; Females are smaller, having a less pronounced nuchal hump, and a bright yellow abdomen with black bars along their anal fins’ edges
Probable Diseases	White spot, dropsy, hole in the head
Approximate Price	$16 – 20

Tank Setup & Care Sheet Details

Care Level	Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Tank Size	10 – 15 gallons (38 – 57 liters) for a group of 4 – 5 fishes

Water Parameters

pH Level	6.0 – 7.0
Temperature	72° to 78° F (22 to 26 °C)
Hardness	6 – 12 dGH
Aquarium Water Flow	Moderate

Tank Ambience

Lighting	Low, subdued
Substrate Type	Dark substrates like sand along with floating plants, driftwood, and rocks to help them thrive securely attain a vibrant coloration
Tank Mates	Compatible with: Rainbowfishes, tetras, bettas, rasboras, cory catfish, dwarf gourami, guppies Incompatible with: Big and aggressive fish like the green terror, red devil cichlid, dwarf cichlid
Suitable Position in the Tank	Middle

Feeding

Diet	Flakes, live or frozen diet of bloodworm and brine shrimp
Frequency	2 – 3 times a day

Important Things to Know For Fish Keepers

• You can keep them with adult shrimp species (Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp), but not with juveniles as the peacock gudgeon would consider them their food.
• If you find the peacock gudgeon with a really fat belly, it could be a female full of eggs. If the abdomen is light yellow, then it could be a male and might be bloated. Keep a close watch on its behavior and consult a fish vet if the need arises.
• They like to thrive in clean water but experiences discomfort in case of high water flow. They are good jumpers and might also get out of the tank under such circumstances if the aquarium is not tightly lidded.
• Though not aggressive, they, mainly the males, could display territorial behavior. So, demarcate their space well with substrates and wood when housing a couple of them together in a community tank.

FAQs