Peacock Gudgeon

Adults usually reach about 7 cm. Sexual dimorphism is weak in this species. Differences between males and females become obvious mainly during spawning. At this time males develop a characteristic nuchal hump, giving them an unusual shape reflected in the name gudgeon. Another distinctive feature is the dorsal fin, which is divided into two parts. This indicates their relationship with rainbowfish, which also inhabit the Australian region. The body is blue with yellow tones and a pattern of red strokes and irregular bands.

The natural habitat is New Guinea, located near Australia. The peacock gudgeon is found in lowland rivers and small lakes in the eastern part of the island, among tropical forests. It prefers shallow areas of water bodies with a soft substrate.

This species is territorial, but gets along well with various peaceful fish of comparable size. Rainbowfish, tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish and similar species make excellent tank mates. The peacock gudgeon can be kept singly or in a group. When kept in a group, provide enough shelters for each fish.

One or two peacock gudgeons need a tank of at least 40 litres. They are comfortable in soft, slightly acidic water with plenty of aquatic plants. A dark substrate, floating plants at the surface and dimmed lighting create a good environment. Provide plenty of shelters such as driftwood or dense plant growth. Without hiding places, the fish will seek refuge near tank equipment or in corners. Since gudgeons are known jumpers, the tank must have a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from jumping out. Regular maintenance includes weekly partial water changes and cleaning of the substrate and décor of organic waste.

Although these fish can eat dry food, they prefer live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. A high-protein diet brings out their colour more vividly.

Breeding peacock gudgeons is not difficult. The main task is to find a suitable pair. These fish are picky about their partner. A solution is to buy an established pair or a group of young fish that will pair off naturally as they mature. The start of breeding is easy to spot: males develop the characteristic nuchal hump. The male occupies one of the shelters and begins courting. When a spawning-ready female swims past, he tries to attract her into his shelter, sometimes persistently. When the female is ready to breed, she accepts his advances and lays dozens of eggs in the chosen shelter. She then leaves the shelter, and the male takes charge of caring for and guarding the brood. His role is limited to a short incubation period of up to 2 days. A couple of days later the fry become free-swimming. At this point they should be transferred to a separate tank to prevent them being eaten by other inhabitants.

Health problems usually occur only as a result of injury or unsuitable conditions, which weakens the immune system and typically leads to various diseases. When the first signs of illness appear, check the water parameters for dangerous concentrations of toxic substances (nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, etc.). Once all parameters are back to normal, treatment can begin.

When choosing a peacock gudgeon, pay attention to its overall activity and appearance. Healthy fish should be curious, swimming in the water column or examining the bottom, not constantly hiding in corners. Avoid specimens showing signs of emaciation, damaged fins, spots on the body or heavy breathing. It is worth observing them at feeding time: healthy fish show interest in food and eat actively. Choose fish with bright, rich colour typical for the species. Check that the eyes are clear and there are no signs of skin parasites. Prefer fish that do not look frightened or bullied by their tank mates. If possible, buy a group of 6–8 young fish to ensure natural pair formation and social behaviour.