Animal Species:Striped Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus australis (Krefft, 1864)

The Striped Gudgeon is best recognised in the wild by the five to seven dark stripes on the sides of the body, and a dark stripe running posteriorly from the eye.

Striped Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus australis

Striped Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus australis
Robert McCormack © Robert McCormack

Identification

The Striped Gudgeon has a small mouth that extends posteriorly to a point level with the front margin of the eye. It has two dorsal fins, the soft-rayed second dorsal fin being slightly taller than the spiny dorsal fin.

The background colour of the Striped Gudgeon varies from brown to grey dorsally fading to cream or grey ventrally. It has five to seven dark stripes on the sides of the body, and a dark stripe running posteriorly from the eye.

The pectoral fin base is crossed by a white bar, and the upper pectoral fin base has a dark spot. The two dorsal fins and caudal fin have rows of brown spots.

Size range

The Striped Gudgeon grows to 22 cm in length but is more commonly seen up to 12 cm long.

Distribution

The Striped Gudgeon occurs in coastal streams of southern Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria.

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.

Gobiomorphus australis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Striped Gudgeon specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is mostly found in slow-flowing, often muddy water streams.

Feeding and Diet

Adults feed on Eastern Gambusia and aquatic insects.

Mating and reproduction

The breeding season for this species extends from late summer into autumn. During this time, the colouration of males intensifies.

Classification

Species:
australis
Genus:
Gobiomorphus
Family:
Eleotridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
  2. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  3. Larson, H.K. & D.F. Hoese in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
  4. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Striped Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus australis, Eleotridae, freshwater, stripes, brown, white, 10 cm - 30 cm,