Peacock gudgeon
The peacock gudgeon is a small freshwater fish of the family Eleotridae (sleeper gobies), endemic to streams and ponds of eastern Papua New Guinea. It is brilliantly colored, with a silvery-blue body flushed with red and yellow, fine dotted markings, and a black ocellus (eyespot) at the base of the tail. It is a peaceful, slightly shy fish that does well in small groups and pairs off during breeding. Males develop a nuchal hump and brighter color. A planted tank with gentle flow, caves or crevices, and calm tankmates lets it show its best colors. It is a micropredator preferring small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp, though many accept fine dry foods. It is a cave-spawner: the male guards the eggs until they hatch. Its manageable size and vivid color make it popular for nano and community aquariums.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 22 – 26 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 6 – 7.8 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 10 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 5 – 15 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 60 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 6 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 4 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Peacock gudgeon need?
Provide at least 60 litres for a small group to keep Peacock gudgeon in good conditions.
What water parameters does Peacock gudgeon need?
A temperature of 22–26 °C, pH 6–7.8.
Is Peacock gudgeon peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Peacock gudgeon eat?
Its diet: carnivore.
How many Peacock gudgeon should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 4.
How big does Peacock gudgeon get?
Around 6 cm as an adult.
Is Peacock gudgeon suitable for beginners?
Care level: beginner.
Planning a tank with Peacock gudgeon?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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