Purple Spotted Gudgeon

Male swims around female with all fins erect and opercula expanded. This courting behavior may continue for some days. Female deposits about 30 eggs and then rests while male fertilizes them. She then continues to lay another batch. After producing about 280-1300 eggs, the female moves away and the male remains to fan and guard the eggs until hatching (Ref. 7327).

Inhabits slow-flowing or still waters, among weed. Feeds on worms, dragonfly larvae, midge and mosquito larvae, crustaceans and mosquito fishes.

Inhabits slow-flowing or still waters, among weed (Ref. 7327). Occurs in rivers, creeks and billabongs, usually over rocks or among vegetation (Ref. 44894). Feeds on worms, dragonfly larvae, midge and mosquito larvae, crustaceans and mosquito fishes (Ref. 7327). Maturity: F at 4.9 cm, M at 4.5 cm. Sexually dimorphic. Direct pair spawning in rivers and ponds at 19-34°C in Dec.-Feb. A single cluster of demersal eggs laid on a solid substrate, often close to vegetation (Ref. 7276). Spawns during the rainy season (November to March). Females produce successive batches of 280-1300 eggs which are deposited on rocks, logs, or other solid debris. Males guard and fan the eggs until hatching, which takes about 3-9 days depending on temperature (Ref. 44894). Preyed on by Perca fluviatilis and competes with mosquito fish (Ref. 7329).

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial