ANIMAL SPECIES:Firetailed Gudgeon, Hypseleotris galii (Ogilby, 1898)
The Firetailed Gudgeon is a small native Australian fish that occurs in freshwater coastal streams. During the breeding season the fins of males become bright red-orange.
Identification
The Firetailed Gudgeon has a compressed body, two dorsal fins and a small, oblique mouth that reaches to below the front of the eye.
The colouration of the species varies with age, habitat and season. The body is generally grey to bronze with black scale margins. During the breeding season males can be almost black, with intense red-orange fins. There is often a black bar above the pectoral fins base and a faint stripe along the side of the body.
Female Firetailed Gudgeons can be easily distinguished from other species of Hypseleotris by the black area around the vent. This area is usually brown in males.
Size range
Female Firetailed Gudgeons grow to 4 cm in length and males grow to 5.5 cm.Distribution
The Firetailed Gudgeon is endemic to Australia. It is found from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Firetailed Gudgeon specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species lives in freshwater coastal streams.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The species feeds on aquatic invertebrates.
Mating and reproduction
The species changes colours during the breeding season (see identification).
Classification
- Species:
- galii
- Genus:
- Hypseleotris
- Family:
- Eleotridae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Larson, H.K. & D.F. Hoese. 1996 in McDowall, R.M. (Ed) Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
- Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
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Firetailed Gudgeon, Hypseleotris galii View full size
Lee Lau
© Lee Lau
A Firetailed Gudgeon from Lake Parramatta View full size
Lee Lau
© Lee Lau
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