Peacock gudgeon
Tateurndina ocellicauda
A bright, calm goby-like fish from New Guinea with an eyespot on the tail; it lives near the bottom in small groups and spawns in caves.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, micro pellets
- Origin
- Eastern Papua New Guinea
- Hardier than53%
- Bigger than46%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Peacock gudgeon tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Peacock gudgeon.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb nips fins; Peacock gudgeon is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peacock gudgeon.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peacock gudgeon.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat young or small Peacock gudgeon; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peacock gudgeon.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Peacock gudgeon: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Peacock gudgeon: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Peacock gudgeon: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Peacock gudgeon: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for peacock gudgeons: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 6.33 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.57 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 2+ (best 4)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Care notes
Peacock gudgeons come from lowland rainforest streams and ponds of eastern Papua New Guinea and grow to about 3 inches. Squabbles between them are mostly displays.
A 10-gallon tank holds a couple of pairs; buy six to eight young fish and let them pair off. Provide caves or tubes, since they lay eggs on the cave roof.
Questions
What size tank does a peacock gudgeon need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3 inches without fins.
How many peacock gudgeons should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 4 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do peacock gudgeons need?
72–79 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and 5–10 dGH. Peacock gudgeons come from Eastern Papua New Guinea.
How long do peacock gudgeons live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with peacock gudgeons?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.