Purple Spotted Gudgeon - Utchee Creek 3cm

Purple Spotted Gudgeon

The purple-spotted gudgeon makes for an amazing rare, unique, and oddball addition to a native Australian or oddball aquarium. These fish were once declared extinct in the wild but after a small population was rediscovered, they were bred in captivity and now be kept in the home aquarium. The purple-spotted gudgeon remains at a relatively small size compared to other gudgeon species and is fairly easy to care for. They are almost like small predator fish making them a great option for aquarists who have space constraints.

Purple spotted gudgeons get to a maximum size of around 15cm and have the classic elongated body shape and underbite that gudgeons are known for. Purple spotted gudgeons look stunning, they have such a perfect blend of colours that make them look super natural but also eye-catching. They have an olive-green to sandal body colour with shades of brown which is topped with an array of purple stripes and spots from head to tail. Surrounding the purple spots is a border of sky blue which really highlights the gudgeon.

When in breeding colours these fish are a true spectacle to see. Finally, the purple spotted gudgeon has striking blue eyes that can move around individually giving them a chameleon look. The purple-spotted gudgeon is now being bred in captivity which is great as it reduces the capture of wild fish. Males tend to have 3 - 4 purple stripes on their cheek plates whereas females have two faded stripes. This species breeds very similar to cichlids where they will clean out a flat, secure surface. The female will then proceed to lay eggs which the male fans and guards until the eggs hatch.

Tank Recommendations for your Purple Spotted Gudgeon
These purple spotted gudgeons will get to a maximum length of around 15 cm and can be territorial to one another along with any other tank mates. Because of this, it is best to keep these fish in an aquarium with a minimum volume of 200 litres. the aquarium should also have a decent profile because of their bottom dwelling nature. Purple spotted gudgeon come from fairly shallow waterways with a lot of cover and botanical matter, this wild setting can be replicated in the aquarium with driftwood and rock caves. These fish will appreciate soft water parameters with the PH at around 6.0 - 7.0. This can be easily achieved through the use of peat pouches in the filter or driftwood in the aquarium. The Purple spotted gudgeon does not have a high concern with the substrate as they will be fine with either gravel or sand and will also be fine with plants. These are also tropical fish which are best kept at 24 - 26 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies
The purple-spotted gudgeon is considered a semi-aggressive species due to its slight territorial behaviour. Though they show a lot of ambush predator behaviour, they should be fine with small tank mates enough to be eaten.

Usually Compatible
Australian Bass, silver perch, Australian lungfish, and larger rainbowfish species like Goyder River rainbows.

Sometimes Compatible
Giant Danio, angelfish, acara, and similar peaceful community fish.

Rarely Compatible
Small prey types species like danio, black widow tetras, and fish that do not meet the water parameters as the gudgeon like African cichlids.

Feeding your Purple Spotted Gudgeon
These fish are carnivores that will prefer a meaty diet. They can easily be fed pellets but will also prefer additional supplementation of prawns, pieces of fish, and similar foods. Because of their bottom-dwelling nature, it is easy for the gudgeon to be outcompeted by tank mates higher in the water column like Saratoga so this should be accounted for.