All fish / Eleotridae

Northern Purple-spotted Gudgeon

Mogurnda mogurnda

Also known as purple-spotted gudgeon, northern trout gudgeon, purple spotted gudgeon, mogurnda, trout gudgeon, chequered gudgeon, 紫斑塘鳢

A stocky, big-headed gudgeon with a brown to bluish body covered in red, orange and purple spots and stripes on the cheeks. It is hardy, full of character and takes a wide temperature range, which makes it a popular native fish with Australian keepers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

20 to 30 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a pair; several only in a large tank with plenty of cover

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, shrimp, earthworms, small fish and meaty pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Australia (Northern Territory, Kimberley, Queensland) and southern New Guinea

Breeding

Pairs spawn on a cleaned rock, log or tank wall, laying a patch of adhesive eggs that the male guards and fans until they hatch after about a week. It breeds readily in aquariums and the tiny fry need infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

It will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow and can be territorial towards other bottom dwellers. Keeping or moving Australian natives may be regulated by state, and it is easily confused with the protected southern purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa).