The genus Hypseleotris of southeastern Australia:
its identification and breeding biology
Click here for a colour pdf version.
Peter J.
Unmack
Introduction
My infatuation
with this diminutive group of fishes began early in my native fish “career”,
around 1986. In fact, it was probably the second native fish I ever dipnetted!
I discovered them in northern Victoria while on angling trips poking around in
billabongs with ten inch aquarium nets and bringing them home and observing
them in aquaria.
Since then
I have developed a strong interest in this poorly known group, having kept and
collected them throughout their ranges in southeastern Australia. For most
people today this group remains a mystery, few can accurately identify which
species is which, little published information exists, and for what is written,
uncertainty often exists as to which species is being discussed! Adding to this
uncertainty, many of the published photos are misidentified, which is not
surprising given all the confusion.
The genus Hypseleotris was first named by Theodore
Gill in 1863. As presently recognised, Hypseleotris
has a broad distribution well beyond Australia. The taxonomy of the group
outside of Australia is a mess, some feel only two species are represented,
others suggest there may be several (Douglas Hoese, Tony Gill pers. comm.).
Chameleon gudgeon (H. cyprinoides) is the most widespread species,
occurring from Africa through Japan and south into Indonesia and northern New
Guinea (NG) . Another widespread species is the rainbow prigi (H. guntheri),
occurring on several South Pacific islands. Two other species occur, H.
tohizonae (no common name) in Madagascar and golden sleeper (H. dayi)
in South Africa. Both species are closely related to chameleon gudgeon and may
indeed by conspecific. There may also be several undescribed Hypseleotris species in the Philippines.
Within
Australia, the empire gudgeon (H. compressa) is the most widespread,
occurring from the Genoa River in Victoria (Vic) around the northern coast to
the Murchison River in Western Australia (WA) in addition to southern NG. It
was first described by Gerard Kreft from the Clarence River, New South Wales
(NSW) in 1864 as Eleotris compressus. It was also described and named around
nine additional times through 1897 due to its widespread range and early
confusion! All the aforementioned Hypseleotris
spp. are typically found at low elevation and are commonly found in estuarine
conditions. Hence, their higher salinity tolerance may partially explain their
wide occurrence. Presently eleven described and undescribed species are
recognised from Australia with most being restricted in distribution. Western
Australian species were revised by Hoese and Gerald Allen in 1983. Three new
species were described, slender gudgeon (H. ejuncida), Barnett River
gudgeon (H. kimberleyensis), and Prince Regent gudgeon (H. regalis),
none of which have apparently been kept in aquaria. All are fairly restricted
in range in the Kimberley. Additionally, golden gudgeon (H. aurea) occur
in the southern Pilbera region, it was described by Bruce Shipway in 1950. He
reported it to be a peaceful species which took prepared foods readily.
According to Hoese and Allen these species fall into three groups on the basis
of fin colouration, (1) empire gudgeon, (2) golden and slender gudgeon, and (3)
Prince Regent and Barnett River gudgeon. All are considered to be evolved from
an empire gudgeon like ancestor and are of a different lineage to the
southeastern species. In 1989, a new species was found in the upper Katherine
River in the Northern Territory (NT). It is under study by Helen Larson and
appears to be related to Barnett River gudgeon. According to Larson it readily
adapts to captivity. A further species was recorded by Hamar Midgley from the
Limmen Bight River (NT) that was thought to resemble firetail gudgeon (H.
galii), unfortunately the specimens have been misplaced and further
collecting in that area has not revealed additional examples (Larson pers.
comm.). Hence, this species remains mysterious.
Prior to
1980, besides empire gudgeon, two species were considered to be present in
southeastern Australia, firetail gudgeon in coastal drainages and western carp
gudgeon (H. klunzingeri) in the Murray-Darling Basin and southeastern
coastal drainages of Queensland (Qld) (where it was thought it may have been
introduced). Firetail gudgeon was described by Douglas Ogilby in 1897 as Carassiops
galii based on specimens introduced into the Sydney Botanical Gardens. They
were discovered by Albert Gale, who spawned them in aquaria in or just prior to
1897! The first western carp gudgeon were reported from the Murray River in
South Australia (SA) by Klunzinger in 1872 (and again in 1880) who mistook them
for chameleon gudgeon. In 1898, Ogilby recognised Klunzinger’s mistake and
renamed the fish after him. Hoese, Larson, and Leighton Llewellyn revised the
southeastern species and updated and expanded their distributions in 1980. Two
additional species were recognised but not described, Midgley’s carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris sp. 4 [or A]) and Lake’s
carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris sp. 5 [or
B]). My own collecting and aquarium observations resulted in the recognition of
an additional species which is hereby referred to as Murray-Darling carp
gudgeon (Hypseleotris sp. 3). This
species had been collected previously, its distinctiveness just was not
recognised. Details of its peculiarities will be provided below.
The observations
given here are based upon experiences from collecting and keeping western,
firetail, Lake’s, Midgley’s, and Murray-Darling carp gudgeons from throughout
the Murray-Darling Basin, Cooper Creek (Lake Eyre Basin), Bulloo R., and
coastal Qld and NSW. Firetail gudgeon is the only species I have not spawned.
When I mention carp gudgeon, it is the aforementioned species to which I am
referring.
Identification
The
following is a visual guide for distinguishing southeastern carp gudgeons. Some
characters used, such as colour, are subject to interpretation, i.e., “red”
versus “orange.” Only experience with these fishes will overcome this. Errors
in identification are common due to the fact that few resources have been
available upon which to base identifications. Hence, most books have pictures
of misidentified species. A list of incorrect photos with their correct
identification is provided in Appendix 1.
Western
carp gudgeon
Body
colour: Grayish. Male body does not get as dark as any of the other species.
Females have a yellowy-orange belly when in spawning condition, it is silvery
at other times. There is usually a dark pattern associated with the margins of
the midlateral scales that is not as prominent in the other species except
empire gudgeons.
Fin colour:
During spawning season, male anal and dorsal fins are blood red with a thin
bright white line on the outer edge of the fin, tail is blood red. During other
times of the year, fin colouration, especially the caudal, is far less
pronounced and especially the white edging. Females have clear fins year round.
Head
bluntness: Males are the least blunt headed of all five species.
Size:
Common to 4cm, rarely reaches 5-6 cm.
Distribution:
Cooper Creek, Bulloo River, Murray-Darling Basin, coastal drainages from the
Hunter River (NSW) north to Herbert Creek (~80 km north of Rockhampton, Qld).
Coastal populations differ slightly to inland ones as they are stockier, have a
blunter/deeper head, and have more prominent scale markings.
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon
Body colour:
Browny-tan. Body in males often goes very dark when fish become excited, either
when feeding, defending a territory against another male, or trying to attract
a female. Females have a bright orange belly, sometimes turning pink when in
spawning condition, at other times it is silvery.
Fin colour:
Comments in the literature stating this species is somewhat variable depending
on location are incorrect. This may in part be due to confusion with
Murray-Darling carp gudgeon. Individuals of this species show the most extreme
variation in degree and intensity of colouration due primarily to changes in
mood and to a lesser extent, the time of year, males being brighter around
spawning time. Variation in colouration with season is not as great as it is
for some other carp gudgeons, as this species does not get as intensely
coloured. The anal and dorsal fins are coloured as follows, basal third is
clear to faint red; mid third consists of a blackish band; outer thinner band
is usually white, often with a tinge of orange on the extreme edge; sometimes
this white band may go from faint to bright blue. The caudal fin is clear or
slightly dusky. Females have clear fins.
Head
bluntness: Males have the bluntest head, as do Lake’s carp gudgeon.
Size: Up to
4 cm. Some authors have stated they grow to 6cm, again, this is likely due to
confusion with Murray-Darling carp gudgeon as I have never seen Midgley’s carp
gudgeon approach that size.
Distribution:
Cooper Creek, Bulloo River, Murray-Darling Basin, and Qld coastal drainages
from the Brisbane River north to the Tully River.
Lake’s carp
gudgeon
Body
colour: Browny-tan. Body in males often goes dark when fish become excited,
either when feeding, defending a territory against another male, or trying to
attract a female. Female belly is orange during spawning season, turning bright
pink when close to spawning, non spawning colouration is silvery.
Fin colour:
The basal two thirds of the anal and dorsal fins is generally blackish,
sometimes turning faintly orange when the fish is excited, bordered by a thin
orange line with a thinner white line on the edge of the fin. Caudal fin is
clear or slightly dusky. Variation in colouration with season is not as great
as some other carp gudgeons as this species only has a small area of finnage
that gets any obvious colouration. Females have clear fins.
Head
bluntness: Identical to Midgley’s carp gudgeon.
Size: Up to
4 cm.
Other
distinctive features: They lack scales on the dorsal surface between first
dorsal fin and head and the lower stomach from the anus forward. The “bald”
area on the head frequently extends back around the base of the first dorsal
fin to at least past its midpoint.
Distribution:
upper Cooper Creek and Murray-Darling Basin. Also found in the Burnett River (coastal
Qld), however I feel it is likely they were introduced accidentally as
contaminants with hatchery raised sport fish as this has also occurred in
southern Vic and southeastern SA with other carp gudgeons.
Murray-Darling
carp gudgeon
Body
colour: Browny-tan. Males do not usually get quite as dark as Midgley’s or
Lake’s carp gudgeon, (although occasionally they will). Female belly is orange
during spawning season going bright pink when close to spawning. At other times
it is silvery.
Fin colour:
The bottom third of the anal and dorsal fins is faint orange; mid third is
blackish; this is bordered by a brighter orange line (which looks very similar
to the brighter marginal red line in male firetail gudgeons), often with a hint
of a thin white line on the outside of the fin edge as well. Tail is orangey.
Intensity of fin colouration, especially the caudal fin, varies seasonally,
being brightest around spawning time. Females have clear fins.
Head
Bluntness: Not as blunt as Midgley’s and Lake’s carp gudgeon, but more so than
western carp gudgeon. Most similar to firetail gudgeon.
Size:
Commonly found to 4 cm, reaching about 6 cm.
Other
distinctive features: In males, the anal and second dorsal fins are
distinctively elongated and pointed, although not as extremely elongated as
large firetail gudgeons may get. Females can be difficult to distinguish from
Midgley’s carp gudgeon outside of spawning season.
Distribution:
Murray-Darling Basin although patchy in occurrence. It appears that two forms
exist, one in the Darling, one in the Murray; they differ slightly in
appearance, finnage, and colouration.
Firetail
gudgeon
Body
colour: Browny-tan. Males generally do not get quite as dark as Midgley’s or
Lake’s carp gudgeon (although occasionally they will). The female’s belly is
orange during spawning season, going bright pink when close to spawning,
otherwise it is silvery.
Fin colour:
The bottom third of the anal and dorsal fins are faintly red; mid third is
blackish; this is bordered by a bright red line. Tail is red. Intensity of fin
colouration varies somewhat with the time of year being brightest around
spawning time. Females have clear fins.
Head
Bluntness: not as blunt as Midgley’s and Lake’s carp gudgeon, but more so than
western carp gudgeon. Most similar to Murray-Darling carp gudgeon.
Size:
commonly found to 4 cm, reaching about 6 cm maximum.
Other
distinctive features: anal and second dorsal fins are the most elongated and
pointed in males of all the carp gudgeons. Large males have anal and second
dorsal fins that reach beyond the caudal fin origin. Females can be separated
from all other carp gudgeons as they have a black urogenital papilla
(it looks
like a black spot just by their anus). Females from the Burnett River north
lack the black spot making identification more difficult.
Distribution:
coastal drainages from the Georges River (Sydney) north to Baffle Creek (Qld.)
with another in Waterpark Creek north of Rockhampton (where soft-spined sunfish
and honey blue ey also occur).
Hybrids
I have seen
a few fish that appeared to be hybrids. There is no easy way to identify these
specimens except experience.
Natural
Habitats
Murray-Darling
Basin
Within the
Murray-Darling basin carp gudgeons are ubiquitous in all habitats, typically
only being absent in areas experiencing low temperatures. They are found
upstream to the uppermost reaches of most Darling River tributaries and as well
as those to the lower Murray River in SA. However, in Murray River tributaries
upstream of the Murrumbidgee River they are typically found in areas below ~220
m. In the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan rivers they occur upstream to ~550 m. It is
relatively rare to find only one species occupying an area (in my experience
only western carp gudgeon, or occasionally Murray-Darling carp gudgeon).
Typically western carp gudgeons are the only species found in arid drainages
like the Warrego and Paroo rivers where I have only found a single Midgley’s
carp gudgeon. Wherever Midgley’s carp gudgeons are found western carp gudgeons
will also occur. Lake’s carp gudgeon tends to be widespread like western and
Midgley’s carp gudgeons, but far less numerically abundant, hence all three are
commonly found together with Lake’s carp gudgeon only being found in small
numbers. Murray-Darling carp gudgeon are not continuous throughout their range.
I have found isolated populations in the following areas; Murray River and
tributaries in SA, Murray River at Cohuna and Albury, Goulburn and Broken
Rivers (Vic), Bland Creek (south of Forbes), Bogan River (NSW), Dumaresq River
(NSW and Qld.) and parts of the Condamine River (Qld.). Within these areas it
is typically common and all four species can be found together. Its patchy
distribution has likely contributed to it not being previously recognised.
Undoubtedly more populations exist, however, its patchiness does seem real as
in some areas such as the Murray River between Cohuna and Albury I have sampled
thousands of carp gudgeons and never seen Murray-Darling carp gudgeon.
Cooper
Creek and Bulloo River
Within
Cooper Creek and the Bulloo River western carp gudgeon are ubiquitous in all
riverine habitats. Midgley’s carp gudgeons are also widespread, though less
abundant except in the upper reaches of the Barcoo River where Lake’s carp
gudgeon also occurs. I have only collected as far downstream as Avington
Station (west of Blackall) and Lake’s carp gudgeon were present at most sites
above here, albeit in low numbers.
Coastal
drainages
Only
firetail and western carp gudgeon occur in coastal NSW. Both seem to be patchy
in the southern portion and found at lower elevations. However, from at least
the Clarence River north they appear to be found in both up and lowland regions
and are somewhat less patchy. These two species and Midgley’s carp gudgeon are
found from the Brisbane River north to Baffle Creek in most habitats and
elevations. Western carp and firetail gudgeons are frequently found together.
Midgley’s carp gudgeon are a little more patchy in occurrence and are virtually
always found in conjunction with one or both species. North of Baffle Creek,
Midgley’s and western carp gudgeon are widespread and relatively common, and
one population of firetail gudgeon is known from Waterpark Creek. North of
Herbert Creek, only Midgley’s carp gudgeon are present. They have a patchy,
although broadly continuous distribution to the Murray-Tully Swamps and are
found at all elevations.
General
Observations
Typically,
the largest population sizes occur in habitats where considerable cover exists,
usually aquatic vegetation since this is the densest cover. They tend to be
more abundant in billabongs or intermittent streams with abundant aquatic
vegetation rather than flowing habitats. However, they are also found in barren
shallow turbid lakes with little cover, albeit in low numbers, and perennial
streams/rivers whether they be small, large, turbid, or clear. Few obvious
habitat preferences amongst the species exist. Murray-Darling carp gudgeon seem
to be most commonly found in smaller creeks where the foothills meet the plains
as well as billabongs. These creeks tend to be intermittent with narrower
deeper pools with some instream structure such as wood debris or aquatic
plants. Western carp gudgeon seem to cope much better with harsh conditions in low
gradient intermittent streams with shallow turbid water and little cover other
than some wood debris. This is usually the type of habitat where they are the
only hypseleotrid found or at least the most abundant one.
Aquarium
Care
Carp
gudgeons are not commonly available in aquarium stores hence, one needs to
collect their own (none are threatened or endangered so this should not be a
big problem). They are typically quite abundant, thus they can be easily
collected with anything from seine nets to small aquarium nets—the first
firetail gudgeon I ever saw was collected in an aluminium can in the Logan
River (Qld)! I lifted it out of the water, emptied it back into the river and
heard a tink tink tink. I added water, and then emptied it into a bucket. To my
surprise, I found a beautiful male looking back at me! The most likely places
to find carp gudgeons are where aquatic vegetation exists or where overhanging
vegetation and debris exists over an undercut bank. Spring is typically ideal,
as young adult sized fish are common (2-3cm) and they are more likely to be
coloured up making identification easier. Larger fish are more difficult to
find later in the season, although very young fish are usually common then.
Adult fish are typically quite robust. Losses during handling in the field and
transportation are usually minimal provided basic care is given.
I prefer to
keep groups of fish in 2 ft aquariums. I provide a number of potential hiding
places using rocks, or any other suitable objects without giving them so much
cover that they are never observed. It also helps to strategically provide
hiding places such that you can see into them! Carp gudgeons do not have a
reputation for being jumpers, however, since I keep lids on all my aquaria it
is difficult for me to be sure! When I first introduce wild fish I avoid
feeding them for a couple of days. I have never consistently been able to get
carp gudgeons to eat artificially prepared foods like flakes and pellets. A few
individuals will, although some just will not. I usually start feeding by
frequently offering small amounts of live food while I sit and watch. I feel
this helps to train the fish, such that when I enter the room they all come out
expecting food! After a few days I start feeding dead foods such as frozen
brine shrimp and bloodworms. Occasionally it can be difficult to get wild fish
to eat food that does not move, hence that is why I begin with live food. Once
they are used to eating frozen foods they can typically be weaned onto most
“real” foods as they will pick at anything thrown in their tank. I have fed
live and frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, blood worms, and mosquito larvae as well
as finely chopped up frozen fish such as carp.
As is
typical for most Australian fish, water conditions are not critical. They do
not appear to be fussy in regards to pH, hardness, or salinity. They can likely
tolerate temperatures from 4-37ºC, although they certainly appear most
comfortable between 15 and 25ºC. The most important factors in maintaining
healthy fish are good quality food and regular large water changes. I have
found them to be quite compatible with other slow moving fishes. I say slow
moving, as I always tend to keep fish with similar swimming abilities together
or else I find the faster species get too much food. Carp gudgeons are not
typically aggressive towards other species, although they can get a little
nippy if they get too hungry. I suspect most species will live for 3-5 years in
captivity, and I have heard of empire gudgeons being kept for over 20!
Breeding
Biology
Of all the
Australian species, only four (empire, firetail, western, and Midgley’s carp
gudgeons) have anything on their breeding biology published. Here I provide
additional observations on the latter two species and Lake’s and Murray-Darling
carp gudgeons. All carp gudgeons are sexually dimorphic, with males being
brighter coloured than females which are typically relatively plain, except for
their belly colouration. It is a good idea to provide a number of potential
spawning sites. Males tend to be territorial and will setup home in a small
cave, tube, or flowerpot which is where they will spawn. Western carp gudgeon
could probably benefit by having something hard and vertical to spawn on near
the water surface. The four species treated here all mature once they reach
around 3 cm.
Western
carp gudgeon
Clarence
Blewett appears to have been the first person to breed this species in 1928. He
noticed a male trying to entice a female into its territory, so he moved them
to a tank on their own. Much to his surprise, three days later, on February
27th they spawned, not amongst the rocks he laid out for them, but ~5 cm from
the water’s surface. He stated, “on the third day after spawning the eggs
disappeared, apparently eaten by the parents.” It is more likely they hatched
and the fry were too small for him to notice.
John Lake
observed that spawning occurred in shallow water from 5 to 25 cm below the
water surface. Spawning was observed at 22.5ºC at 3 pm during early November in
ponds at Narrandera (NSW). Prespawning behaviour consisted of males nudging
females. Eggs were laid on sticks or grass and were 0.4-0.5 mm in diameter.
Females examined had between 1-2000 ova present. Males maintained a vertical
position, either tail up or tail down fanning and guarding eggs until hatching
which occurred 47-53 hours later. Newly hatched larvae are 1.8-2.1 mm long.
After hatching, larvae drift head first towards the bottom, then suddenly turn
180 degrees and swim vertically for 1-5 cm. After 5 days feeding commences and
by day 6 they are free swimming. While some algae was found in the gut, no
larvae survived beyond 9 days due to a lack of suitably sized food. Lake
observed that spawning occurred over several weeks and appeared related to
temperature rather than flooding. Based on the number of ova present in
females, it appears that females lay all or most ova in one spawning. It is
unknown if females spawn more than once per season.
Some have
questioned the identity of the species that Lake observed since no specimens
were retained and three species occur at Narrandera. However, my following
observations make it clear it was western carp gudgeon. I have only had one
spawning despite having kept this species for many years, albeit in low
numbers. My fish were from the Murray River in Chinaman’s Lagoon between Cobram
and Yarrawonga (Vic). About two or three fish were being kept in a 45 cm
aquarium with only a box filter. No gravel or additional ornaments were
present. Eggs were first observed on the 23rd of December around 10 pm.
Temperature was not recorded, although would have been in the low 20’s. Eggs
were estimated to be about 0.5 mm in diameter spread over an area of ~ 40 X 60
mm within 5-10 cm of the water’s surface. The next day at 8 pm the temperature
was 17ºC and by 10 am on the 25th most had hatched (42 hours after being first
observed). The fry had a small rounded head with a long thin tail being around
3 mm long overall. Fry drifted around the tank tail up and head down, making
occasional bursts towards the surface. By the 27th, all fry had disappeared,
probably due to predation by the adults. Unique egg size, hatching time, and
fry behaviour are all specific to western carp gudgeon relative to southeastern
Australian carp gudgeons covered in this article. Interestingly, there are some
similarities between this species and empire gudgeon. Empire gudgeon lay
several thousand eggs (they are a larger species). The eggs are about half as
large, and they hatch in half the time of western carp gudgeon. The fry also
have the same drifting patterns with occasional bursts towards the surface.
This, combined with the similar dark scale margin pattern down the midline of
smaller empire gudgeon, suggests they could be more closely related than they
are presently considered to be.
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon
Ray Leggett
described the spawning of Midgley’s carp gudgeon as follows. It spawns at
20-24ºC. A female will deposit 250-500 eggs in less than one hour on a leaf or
log. Hatching occurs in 6-9 days. He initially raised the fry on egg yolk
followed by infusorians.
I had many
spawnings in aquaria, mostly with fish from Reedy Swamp at Shepparton (Vic) and
Fairbairn Dam near Emerald (coastal Qld). There were no apparent differences in
breeding biology between coastal and Murray-Darling populations. Most spawnings
I have notes on occurred during late November through early January when water
temperatures were around 20-24ºC. However, none of my tanks were regulated,
hence it could have been either the time of year, and/or temperature that
induced spawning. Eggs were normally laid on the roof of a cave and guarded by
the male, females play no further role once eggs are laid. Eggs hatch in 8-9
days. Up to around 400 eggs are laid. Eggs were estimated to be approximately
0.8 mm. One male will spawn with several females over a season, although it is
not clear if females spawn more than once. Based on belly colouration (which is
indicative of readiness to spawn) only a few females appeared ready at any one
time. Upon hatching fry were about 4 mm. Fry would live for around 2-3 days
with no food. I tried raising fry in green water and I was able to get a few to
live up to ~6 days and on one occasion one lived for 11 days. Vinegar eels were
too large to be a first food.
Actual
spawning was observed twice, the first time on fish from Reedy Swamp, the
second from Fairbairn Dam. On the first occasion, spawning was in progress at 1
pm. The male appeared to have the female trapped in the cave. The male had his
fins erect and every now and again would quiver for a second or two. Every so
often he would turn upside down to presumably fertilise the eggs which were
being laid on the upper side of the cave. The female appeared to be upside down
the entire time, however she was difficult to see. A small male entered the
cave and the spawning male chased him out. At the same time the female also
left the cave. The spawning male quickly lost his dark body and bright fin
colouration. Despite the female’s efforts to re-enter the cave and presumably
continue spawning the male refused to let her in. In this situation, spawning
likely ended prematurely as the female still had a large belly. The second
spawning was not as well documented, although it appears similar except I noted
that the male did not appear to nudge the female at all as reported for western
carp gudgeon by Lake. Based on a photograph of the eggs, they appear to be laid
in random trails, often following a linear pattern, although at other times
they were irregular in pattern. There also tended to be a lot of vacant space
between the eggs, at times up to 4 mm.
Lake’s carp
gudgeon
I only had
two spawnings of this species and neither made it to hatching. The fish were
originally collected in a billabong in the upper Murray River near Jingellic
(NSW). Fish were collected the 22nd of December, 1992. They were housed in a 45
cm aquarium with little cover except some 1 inch pvc pipe. Spawning occurred
overnight on the 29-30th of January 1993 at a temperature of 23ºC. On the
morning of the 31st it was 23ºC, rising to 25ºC by evening. The next morning
many eggs had turned white and the temperature was 26ºC. Some eggs were still
present the following evening although the temperature had risen to 29ºC. By
midnight on the 3rd, all were gone and temperature was 31ºC. The second
spawning occurred sometime on the 2nd prior to 11:30 pm at between 26 and 29ºC.
By midnight the next day most had gone white or disappeared. All were gone the
morning of the 4th. In both cases it is likely the high temperature somehow
affected the eggs, possibly either via lower oxygen levels or by being beyond
their temperature tolerance or some other unknown factor.
Murray-Darling
carp gudgeon
I only
briefly recorded a few details of their spawning. Fish originated from Reedy
Swamp. All spawnings occurred in December at temperatures around 20-24ºC.
Larger numbers of eggs were laid compared to Midgley’s carp gudgeon, although,
this could be because the female Murray-Darling carp gudgeon were larger. In
one batch, I counted approximately 500 eggs. Eggs hatched in 4-5 days, larvae
were around 4 mm at hatching and survived around 4-5 days without food before
dying.
Conclusion
Carp
gudgeons are one of the most underrated groups of Australian aquarium fishes.
They are widespread, abundant, hardy, attractive, peaceful, and relatively
undemanding in general. They have provided me with many years of enjoyment and
fascination. I am sure, given half a chance, they can do the same for you.
Acknowledgements
The
following people provided useful information, feedback, and/or comments on this
article and hypseleotrids in general, D. Brewer, A. Fletcher, B. Hansen, D.
Hoese, and M. Kennard. Any mistakes or exclusions remain my own.
Appendix 1.
Corrections to published photos
correct identification misidentification reference
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon western carp gudgeon Lake 1978 p. 147
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon western carp gudgeon McDowell 1981 p. 126
Murray-Darling
carp gudgeon western carp
gudgeon Cadwallader & Backhouse
1983 p. 206
Murray-Darling
carp gudgeon western carp
gudgeon Merrick & Schmida 1984
p. 291
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon firetail gudgeon Merrick & Schmida 1984 p. 288
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon firetail gudgeon Leggett & Merrick 1987 p. 213
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon firetail gudgeon Allen 1989 p. 136
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon Lake’s carp gudgeon Allen 1989 p. 141
western
carp gudgeon firetail gudgeon McDowell 1996 p. 214
Murray-Darling
carp gudgeon western carp
gudgeon McDowell 1996 p. 216
Midgley’s
carp gudgeon Lake’s carp gudgeon McDowell 1996 p. 219
Note: the
photo in McDowell (1996 p. 219) of Midgley’s carp gudgeon may be misidentified
as Lake’s carp gudgeon due to an apparent lack of scales on its head. However,
close examination shows scales are present around the base of the dorsal fin
(they are usually lacking in Lake’s carp gudgeon) and scales are present on the
lower belly region (absent in Lake’s carp gudgeon). Also, having collected,
observed, and provided the fish to Neil Armstrong to photograph. I had ample
time to carefully identify it. Furthermore, the colour pattern is different to
Lake’s carp gudgeon.
References
Allen,
1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia.
Cadwallader
& Backhouse, 1983. A Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Victoria.
Lake, 1978.
Australian Freshwater Fishes.
Leggett
& Merrick, 1987. Australian Native Fishes for Aquariums.
McDowell,
1981. Freshwater Fishes of Southeastern Australia, 1st Ed.
McDowell,
1996. Freshwater Fishes of Southeastern Australia, 2nd Ed.
Merrick
& Schmida, 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes.
Reprinted
from Fishes of Sahul. 14: 645-657. Official journal of the Australian
New Guinea Fishes Association.