Peacock Gudgeon

About

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is a small but visually rich fish from the rainforest streams and ponds of eastern Papua New Guinea, and one of the most rewarding members of the Eleotridae family, the sleeper gudgeons, despite often being confused with true gobies. Unlike gobies, eleotrid family members lack fused pelvic fins, and the peacock gudgeon sits among the most attractive representatives of the group. In the wild it forms loose schools that hover near the bottom, and this behavior carries over to the aquarium, where groups of six or more tend to display and interact in ways that a single pair simply never will. Males become territorial around spawning caves, but the squabbling between individuals rarely escalates beyond fin-flaring and posturing, which is genuinely entertaining to watch. The species fits well into peaceful community tanks alongside small tetras, rasboras, rainbowfish, or Corydoras. Though some open space helps if you're mixing in other cave-claiming species. Breeding is a real draw for many keepers: males guard eggs laid on cave ceilings with unusual dedication, fanning them until they hatch. Providing short tubes or caves is essential if you want to see this behavior. An intermediate-level species that rewards thoughtful setup.