Empire Gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa (Krefft, 1864)

Scientific name: Hypseleotris compressa

Alternative name/s:
Carp Gudgeon, Empire Fish, Northern Carp-gudgeon

Author(s)

Mark McGrouther
Updated

11/03/21
Read time

2 minutes

Empire Gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa — An Empire Gudgeon from Narara Creek, Gosford, New South Wales, 2011. Image: Robert McCormack
© Robert McCormack

Fast Facts

Classification

Genus

Hypseleotris

Species

compressa

Family

Eleotridae

Order

Perciformes

Class

Actinopterygii

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Animalia
Size Range

The species grows to about 12 cm in length.

Introduction

The Empire Gudgeon is a small freshwater species. Males are vibrantly coloured during the breeding season.

Identification

Females are brown to golden and whitish below. In the breeding season males become bright orange-rea on the head and belly. The dorsal and anal fins become bright red-orange basally and with a dark sub-marginal stripe and lighter margins.

Habitat

Normally found in the lower reaches of coastal rivers and streams in still or flowing waters with juveniles occurring in fast flowing water and often schooling in estuaries. Tolerant of salinity levels equal to sea water.

Distribution

The species is known from Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Australia it occurs primarily in in the lower reaches of coastal drainages from central Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south on the east coast to southern New South Wales. Normally found in still or flowing waters with juveniles occurring in fast flowing water and often schooling in estuaries. Tolerant of salinity levels equal to sea water and temperatures up to 35°C.

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.