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Spotted gudgeon (Oxyeleotris urophthalmoides) — Eleotridae

Spotted gudgeon

Oxyeleotris urophthalmoides
Family: Eleotridae

The Spotted gudgeon (Oxyeleotris urophthalmoides) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

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Description

The Spotted gudgeon is a sleeper goby (Eleotridae) from slow-flowing streams, pools and swamps of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, brown marbled body with separate pelvic fins and a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it lies motionless among plants, roots and leaf litter and seizes small crustaceans, insect larvae and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted gudgeon?

The Spotted gudgeon has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Spotted gudgeon live?

The Spotted gudgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

How big does the Spotted gudgeon get?

The Spotted gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Spotted gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Oxyeleotris urophthalmoides
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia 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
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 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

Same genus Oxyeleotris

More from the family Eleotridae

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