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Blind cave gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas) — Eleotridae

Blind cave gudgeon

Milyeringa veritas
Family: Eleotridae

The Blind cave gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–32.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The blind cave gudgeon is a sleeper (Eleotridae) from underground aquifers and cave pools of northwestern Australia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, pale to almost colourless body without functional eyes, fully adapted to life in complete darkness. As a bottom-dweller it feels over rock and sediment and snaps at small invertebrates and organic matter. Its small range makes it vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blind cave gudgeon?

The Blind cave gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blind cave gudgeon live?

The Blind cave gudgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Blind cave gudgeon get?

The Blind cave gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blind cave gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Blind cave gudgeon is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blind cave gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas) — Eleotridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Forrest He, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blind cave gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas) — Eleotridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Tim Karnasuta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blind cave gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Milyeringa veritas
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Blind gudgeon; Blind Gudgeon; Cave gudgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
32.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Eleotridae

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