Re: [RML] Re:Gudgeons (Odonteleotris macrodon)

David Wilson (rwilson at taunet.net.au)
Wed, 14 Apr 1999 18:48:03 +0930

A magnificent fish that has character. They get very tame and often will
sit looking out at the world with their eyes and top of their head out of
the water. They live in the mangrove creeks around Darwin Harbour and
travel into the freshwater drains during the wet season. There is a
picture of one in Ray Legget's book, "Australian Native Fishes for
Aquariums." An excellent rainbowfish disposal unit.

>For all you Gudgeon-lovers out there
>
>Dave Wilson phoned me today to advise that the identity
>of the Sinuous Gudgeon AKA Smooth-scaled Gudgeon has been solved by Helen
>Larson - apparently it is in reality Odonteleotris macrodon.
>
>It was described back in 1853 by Bleeker and according to Koumans has been
>recorded from Port Darwin?(and that was 40 plus years back)
>
>For those who haven't seen one - they are large sluggish grey gudgeons with
>an illdefined ocellus on the caudal peduncle and some dark stripes on the
>gill plates and they eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths,
>as far as I know they are brackish/marine/ fresh at times and haven't been
>bred. Maximum size is around 10-12 inches I think. Mine have never got
>bigger than around 8.
>
>If anyone has any experience with them please respond.
>
>
>
>
>Regards,
>Bruce.
>
>Bruce Hansen, A.N.G.F.A., Advancing Australian Aquatics.
>
>Bruce Hansen, ANGFA, caring for our aquatic ecosystems.
>
>Please visit us at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fisher/angfa.htm