Home · Eleotridae · Spangled gudgeon
Spangled gudgeon (Ophiocara macrolepidota) — Eleotridae

Spangled gudgeon

Ophiocara macrolepidota
Family: Eleotridae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spangled gudgeon (Ophiocara macrolepidota) is a freshwater fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Madagascar
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Spangled gudgeon?

Get the app

Description

The spangled gudgeon is a sleeper goby endemic to the east coast of Madagascar. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a stocky body with large scales and two separate dorsal fins. It lives in fresh and brackish water of rivers and mangroves and is amphidromous. As a predator with a large mouth it hunts smaller animals. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spangled gudgeon?

The Spangled gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Large scales and a large mouth; amphidromous predatory sleeper goby

Where does the Spangled gudgeon live?

The Spangled gudgeon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Madagascar

How big does the Spangled gudgeon get?

The Spangled gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Spangled gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Spangled 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.

Is the Spangled gudgeon edible?

The Spangled gudgeon is rarely eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spangled gudgeon?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spangled gudgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Spangled gudgeon verified
Scientific name
Ophiocara macrolepidota
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Madagascar verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Smaller fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Amphidromous bottom-dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large scales and a large mouth; amphidromous predatory sleeper goby sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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

Same genus Ophiocara

More from the family Eleotridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spangled gudgeon?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spangled gudgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Spangled gudgeon? Get the app