Peacock gudgeons are small, easy-to-care fish that are more colorful than other bottom dwellers. Peacock gudgeons are sometimes labeled “peacock goby” yet this is a misnomer.
Gudgeons are similar in body shape, yet they do not have the fused pelvic fins of true gobies like the dragon goby eel or bumblebee goby.
Peacock gudgeons are carnivorous members of the family Eleotridae, which are found worldwide in fresh and saltwater habitats. They feed on tiny aquatic invertebrates and are peaceful additions to any community tank. Their maximum size is 3 inches and the average peacock gudgeon lifespan is 4 to 5 years in captivity.
- Common Names: Peacock Gudgeon; Peacock Goby; One Eyed Sleeper Goby
- Scientific Name: Tateurndina ocellicauda
- Origin: Eastern Papua New Guinea
- Length: 2 to 3 inches
- Tank Size: 20+ gallons
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Ease of Care: Easy
Peacock Gudgeon Appearance
Both sexes have pale blue or purple sides with yellow along their bellies. Red marbling patterns the sides and fins of the fish. And a black spot sits at the base of the tail, hence the latin name “ocellicauda” (tail spot).
Peacock Gudgeon Male vs Female
As sexually dimorphic fish you will be able to tell males from females by looking. A male peacock gudeon is larger; he will reach 3 inches in length while females mature at 2 inches. He will have a slight hump to his forehead called a nuchal hump.
Females don’t have a nuchal hump. Instead they have a black border along the dorsal and anal fins. Their bellies tend to be a brighter shade of yellow.
Peacock Gudgeon Tank Size
A peacock gudgeon for sale in pet stores is often a very young fish. They are sold at 1 to 1.5 inches yet they are half grown, depending on the sex. Baby gudgeons will be comfortable in a 10 gallon aquarium. Adults need at least 20 gallons of space. A 30 gallon fish tank is even better since you could keep several of these social fish together.
Peacock gudgeons are not shy bottom dwellers yet they aren’t active, either. They spend most of their time hopping around in short bursts. Once they stop they watch tank mates go by while waiting for food to drift close.
Peacock Gudgeon Water Parameters
Peacock gudgeons come from New Guinea, which is close to the equator. The peacock gudgeon temperature should be warm and stable; 73-80℉ is best for them. Any colder and their disease resistance goes down. Gudgeons are prone to aquarium fish ich when stressed and are hard to cure of it once they catch the illness.
pH is not as important a water parameter for gudgeons. They will thrive in both slightly acidic and alkaline chemistries (pH of 6.0-7.5). Nitrogenous waste levels need to be monitored, however. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite; levels should test at 0 parts per million. Many peacock gudgeons are wild caught so they aren’t as tolerant of nitrate as captive-bred aquarium fish. Don’t allow nitrate levels to exceed 10-15 ppm.
Water flow should be low since peacock gudgeon fish are not strong swimmers. The outflow from your filter should be adjusted to keep strong currents from battering them around. Aquarium aeration is important, however, so use an airstone for a gentle current and oxygenation.
Aquarium Setup
Another way to oxygenate a peacock gudgeon tank is to use live plants. These fish are plant safe as they are carnivores and don’t dig or bite at plants. Plants consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen for fish to breathe. They provide shade, compete with algae for nutrients, and consume nitrogenous waste products as fertilizer.
Good live plants for a peacock gudgeon tank include:
- Java Fern
- Anubias sp.
- Water Wisteria
- Aponogeton crispus
- Bacopa caroliniana
- Java and Christmas Moss
- Amazon Sword Plant
The substrate you choose is not important since peacock gudgeons don’t dig. Both sand and gravel are excellent choices. I recommend driftwood as a gudgeon goby will use the branches for cover. Driftwood contains tannins that soften the water as well, making it easier to grow live plants.
Peacock Gudgeon Tank Mates
As small community fish, peacock gudgeon tank mates are easy to choose. The majority of freshwater aquarium fish that are 1 to 4 inches in size are a good match for them.
Stay away from semi-aggressive to aggressive bottom dwellers, though. The more peaceful cichlid species like discus and angelfish are a match. Other species, including dwarf cichlids may be too aggressive for them.
The water chemistry range of 6.0-7.5 that gudgeon fish prefer is suitable for most common aquarium fish. Any of the following fish species will coexist with them:
- Tetra Fish
- Danios
- Guppies, Platies, and other Livebearing Fish
- Dwarf Otocinclus
- Kuhli Loaches, Yoyo Loaches, and other small loaches
- Freshwater Shrimp
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Cherry Barb
- Cory Catfish
- Rainbowfish
- Betta Fish
- Freshwater Snails
Peacock gudgeons will eat baby guppies and other tiny tank mates. That isn’t aggression. However, that is simple predation. In a well-planted aquarium, plenty of young will survive to adulthood.
Freshwater shrimp are fine tank mates depending on the size of the shrimp and your peacock grudgeon. A full-grown gudgeon will see baby shrimp as food. Adult red cherry shrimp or ghost shrimp will be safe. Gudgeon fish are safe with freshwater snails as well, including nerite snails.
New Guinea and Australian rainbowfish are ideal tank mates for peacock gudgeons since they come from the same region of the world. A New Guinea biotope aquarium would include freshwater shrimp, peacock gudgeons and plants like Indian fern or Philodendron.
Peacock goby fish are sometimes aggressive towards other fish that have a rainbow pattern. Blue ram cichlids inhabit the same area of the tank: the bottom. They are similar in size and color to a peacock goby. In the author’s experience, these fish will chase each other around due to mistaken identity.
Keeping Peacock Gudgeons Together
Some of the best tank mates for peacock gobies are other peacock gobies. In the wild they live in small groups of 6 to 10 fish. Peacock gudgeons do well living alone yet their social interactions will bring out more intense colors in both male and female fish. You have a much better chance of breeding them in groups since they are picky about spawning partners.
Two rival males may put on fin displays towards each other when there are females to impress. They won’t do lasting harm to each other, however.
Feeding Peacock Gudgeons
Peacock rainbow fish are carnivorous. They feed on aquatic insect larvae, worms, small shrimp, water fleas, and other invertebrates. The best food for them is live and frozen invertebrates like brine shrimp, daphnia, and blood worms.
Tubifex worms are great as an occasional treat since they are too high in fat for daily feeding. Extra fat is ideal if you are conditioning peacock gudgeons to spawn, though.
They will eat prepared food. Wild caught gudgeons will be reluctant to try flakes or pellets. Captive bred fish have no difficulties, however. Ask to see the fish eat at a pet store before taking one home. That way you know whether they will be picky eaters or not.
One difficulty to peacock gudgeon care is ensuring that they get enough to eat. These fish are slow eaters at times.
They live along the bottom of the tank so food needs to reach that region. In a crowded community aquarium, more active tank mates may eat all of the food before the gudgeons can reach any.
You may need to feed your peacock gudgeons using an eyedropper so they get their share. Gudgeons used to prepared foods will eat sinking pellets.
Peacock Gudgeon Breeding
Peacock gudgeon fish are not difficult to breed. The best way to spawn them is to keep a small group together. One male per two females is the best ratio. That way the females aren’t being chased too often by interested males.
Once a male is ready to spawn he will choose a cave to protect the eggs. You should offer a small flower pot, rock crevice, or driftwood piece that replicates a cave. He will then sit near the entrance, enticing females that come close with fin displays.
A female that is ready to spawn will enter the cave, where the pair deposits 50 to 100 eggs. The eggs are sticky and laid on the walls of the cave. The male then chases away the female to stand watch over the eggs. He will chase away predators and ensure good oxygen flow to the developing eggs by fanning them with his fins.
In 8 to 10 days the eggs hatch. The newborn fry won’t move much the first few days as they need to absorb their yolk sack. Once they do so, they become free swimming and the male leaves them to fend for themselves. Free swimming fry are too small for baby brine shrimp. Instead, you feed them cultured infusoria for the first two weeks. They will then be large enough for live brine shrimp nauplii.
Peacock gudgeon fry will be seen as a source of food for the other fish in your community tank. It is best to raise them in a separate fry-rearing tank. Since the eggs are deposited onto a hard surface it is easy to move them after spawning. Young peacock gudgeons take 6 to 8 months to reach sexual maturity.
FAQs
Peacock gudgeons are peaceful towards other community fish. Rival males will display their fins towards one another at times. The eventual loser will be chased away. These fights are for show, though, and never become serious. Fish that are similar in color to a peacock gudgeon may be included in these fights due to mistaken identity.
Peacock gudgeons and betta fish are excellent tank mates as they prefer the same water conditions. Betta fish stick to the middle and upper area of the tank while peacock gudgeons are bottom dwellers. Betta fish do vary in temperament, however. If you have a very aggressive betta, make sure the aquarium is at least 20 gallons in volume. That way the peacock gudgeon won’t be chased too often.
