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The peacock gudgeon or peacock goby (''Tateurndina ocellicauda'') is a
The males of ''T. ocellicauda'' will choose a spawning site, usually a cave or crevice of sorts. The males will then swim in a circular pattern near the entrance to the spawning site and will flare their pectoral fins at passing females. If unsuccessful, the male will attempt to nudge the female into the spawning site. If the female agrees to spawn, she will lay 50-100 eggs within the spawning site where she will stick the eggs to the ceiling and walls of the site with use of adhesive found on the eggs. The male will alternate between fertilizing eggs and ensuring there are no potential intruders near the entrance to the spawning site. Once all the eggs have been laid, the male will chase away the female and assume all parenting responsibilities. The male will fan the eggs with his fins for 8-10 days to ensure that they are well oxygenated and that no fungi will grow on the eggs. After 8-10 days the eggs will begin to hatch and the male will leave. After around 2 days the larvae will begin to swim on their own before reaching sexual maturity at 6-8 months.
tropical
The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in
the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...
freshwater species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of fish in the family Eleotridae
Eleotridae is a family of fish commonly known as sleeper gobies, with about 34 genera and 180 species. Most species are found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, but there are also species in subtropical and temperate regions, warmer parts of th ...
that is endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to the eastern part of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...
. It can be found in schools hovering over the substrate in rivers and ponds. This species can reach a length of . It is currently the only known member of its genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
.
Name
Due to the lack of fused pelvic fins that are seen in true gobies, ''T. ocellicauda'' is not actually a goby and is instead placed in the familyEleotridae
Eleotridae is a family of fish commonly known as sleeper gobies, with about 34 genera and 180 species. Most species are found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, but there are also species in subtropical and temperate regions, warmer parts of th ...
. Fish in this family are known as "Gudgeons".
Coloration
The Body coloration of ''T. ocellicauda'' is blueish and silvery with pink, yellow and black marks along the body and fins. On the sides of the body there are red lateral dotted stripes and a yellow abdomen. On either side of the body, there is a single, large black spot near the start of the caudal fin.Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is present in ''Taterundina ocellicauda''. The males will be slightly more colorful, develop a large nuchal hump on their foreheads, and will be somewhat larger than the females (7.5 cm as opposed to 5 cm).The females will have a more brightly colored yellow belly and will have a black bar running along the edges of their anal fins. The females also have a more streamlined body shape as opposed to the more round body shape seen in males.Feeding
''T. ocellicauda'' exhibit suction feeding as they prey upon insects, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. In captivity they will accept Brine Shrimp and Bloodworms.Reproduction
The males of ''T. ocellicauda'' will choose a spawning site, usually a cave or crevice of sorts. The males will then swim in a circular pattern near the entrance to the spawning site and will flare their pectoral fins at passing females. If unsuccessful, the male will attempt to nudge the female into the spawning site. If the female agrees to spawn, she will lay 50-100 eggs within the spawning site where she will stick the eggs to the ceiling and walls of the site with use of adhesive found on the eggs. The male will alternate between fertilizing eggs and ensuring there are no potential intruders near the entrance to the spawning site. Once all the eggs have been laid, the male will chase away the female and assume all parenting responsibilities. The male will fan the eggs with his fins for 8-10 days to ensure that they are well oxygenated and that no fungi will grow on the eggs. After 8-10 days the eggs will begin to hatch and the male will leave. After around 2 days the larvae will begin to swim on their own before reaching sexual maturity at 6-8 months.
Captivity
''T. ocellicauda'' are a peaceful addition to community tanks of 15 gallons or more. The males may be territorial to other males. Lighting should be low and there should be many places for the Gudgeons to hide and take cover. Ironically, the more cover that is available, the higher the amount of activity by the Gudgeons. PVC pipes can offer excellent spawning sites provided there are numerous plants such as Java found nearby.References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2056231 Eleotridae Monotypic fish genera Fish described in 1955 Endemic fauna of Papua New Guinea