Get a Huge Tank

All fish

Southern Purple-Spotted Gudgeon

Mogurnda adspersa

Freshwater Australasia Usually captive bred

A richly patterned Australian native with purplish spots, iridescent blue flecks, and patterned fins. They are quiet ambush predators that lurk amongst aquatic weeds and roots. Any fish small enough to fit inside their large mouths will be consumed, so house them only with robust tank mates.

Also called: Purple-spotted gudgeon, Southern purplespotted gudgeon.

11 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 11 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 120 L, at least 80 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 20 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 18 to 25 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6.5 to 7.8 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 5 to 18, KH 3 to 10 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Semi-aggressive Territorial: strong.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 7 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Southern Purple-Spotted Gudgeon is an carnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.