Purple Spotted Gudgeon - (No Online Purchases)

The Purple Spotted Gudgeon is a hardy and distinctly Australian freshwater fish, well regarded in the aquarium hobby for its bold personality and striking patterning of dark spots over a pale body with subtle purple hues.

Overview

Native to rivers, billabongs, and still waters across northern and eastern Australia, the purple spotted gudgeon is a benthic (bottom-dwelling) species that tends to perch on surfaces and observe its surroundings. It grows to around 12–15 cm and develops a robust, slightly chunky body.

Tank requirements

This species is adaptable but does best in a well-structured tank with stable conditions.

• Tank size: Minimum 80–120 litres for a single or pair
• Temperature: 18–26 °C (quite tolerant, reflecting Australian climates)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Flow: Low to moderate

Good filtration is important, but avoid overly strong currents.

Aquascaping

They appreciate a habitat with structure and territory:

• Plenty of hiding spots (rocks, caves, driftwood)
• Sandy or fine gravel substrate
• Hardy plants (they don’t usually uproot them)
• Open areas for short bursts of movement

They often sit on the substrate or décor, so horizontal surfaces are useful.

Behaviour and compatibility

Purple spotted gudgeons are territorial and predatory, especially as they mature.

• Can be kept singly or as a bonded pair
• Males may become aggressive towards each other
• Will eat small fish that fit in their mouth

Suitable tank mates:

• Similar-sized, robust species (e.g. rainbowfish)
• Other Australian natives with compatible temperament

Avoid very small fish, shrimp, or slow bottom dwellers.

Diet

They are carnivorous and prefer meaty foods.

• Live foods (worms, insect larvae)
• Frozen foods (bloodworms, prawns, brine shrimp)
• High-quality sinking pellets (if trained)

They may be reluctant to accept dry foods at first.

Breeding

Breeding is achievable in captivity with the right setup.

• Cave spawners
• Eggs are laid on the سقface of a cave or sheltered area
• The male guards and fans the eggs until they hatch

Providing suitable caves (e.g. PVC pipes or rock crevices) encourages spawning behaviour.

Suitability

This species is best suited to intermediate aquarists due to its territorial nature and predatory instincts. However, its hardiness and tolerance for a range of conditions make it a solid choice for those interested in Australian native fish.

With proper tank mates and plenty of structure, the purple spotted gudgeon becomes a fascinating and interactive aquarium inhabitant, often recognising feeding time and showing bold behaviour.