Animal Species:Crimsontip Gudgeon, Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822)

The Crimsontip Gudgeon can be distinguished from other freshwater gudgeons by its shovel-like snout.

Alternative Name/s

Crimson-tipped Flathead-gudgeon, Crimson-tipped Gudgeon, Flat-head Gudgeon

Identification

The Crimsontip Gudgeon is a medium-sized gudgeon with a long 'shovel-like' snout. Its colour is variable but it is often mottled brown with red spots on the sides and median fins.

In his 2011 paper (see below) Research Associate, Dr Anthony Gill stated that "butis (buti-singular) is a decorative, circular design woven, embroidered or printed on cloth, and is particularly common in sari fabric."

Size range

13 cm

Distribution

It occurs widely throughout the Indo-west Pacific.  In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Butis butis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Crimsontip Gudgeon specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Lower reaches of streams and estuaries usually on muddy bottoms.

Classification

Species:
butis
Genus:
Butis
Family:
Eleotridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  2. Gill, A.C. & D.F. Hoese. 2011. On the formation of family-group names and gender of genera based on the stem—butis (Teleostei: Perciformes: Gobioidei). Zootaxa 2741: 66–68.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Butis butis, Crimsontip Gudgeon, Eleotridae, fishes, ichthyology, > 10 cm, long and skinny, brown, mottled, adult, freshwater, estuarine, mud bottom, spade like snout,