Why Gudgeon Deserves Aquarists’ Attention
Keeping a gudgeon in aquarium isn’t as unusual as it might seem. This fish was quite popular among hobbyists in the past and can become a fascinating subject for observation. While its coloration doesn’t compete with tropical species, it has its own subtle charm. If you’re interested in learning about the physiology of native freshwater fish, the gudgeon makes an excellent choice.
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Cypriniformes
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Gobio
- Species: Common gudgeon (Gobio gobio)
Species Description
The gudgeon reaches up to 20 centimeters in length under favorable natural conditions, living 8-10 years. Most commonly, you’ll encounter specimens measuring 10-15 centimeters. In aquarium settings, the fish typically grows to about 10 centimeters.
The head is slightly flattened with eyes directed somewhat upward. The mouth is ventral with characteristic barbels at the corners. The back displays a gray color with greenish tint, while the sides show yellowish hues with dark spots.
Sexual Differences
Sexual dimorphism is subtle. During spawning season, males develop small white tubercles on the head and front body — epithelial formations that disappear after breeding concludes.
Care Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tank Volume | 50+ liters for 3-4 specimens |
| Temperature | 18-22°C |
| pH | 7.0-7.5 |
| Hardness (dH) | 10-20° |
| Lifestyle | Schooling, bottom-dwelling |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Sexual Maturity | 2-3 years (at 8 cm length) |
Aquarium Setup for Gudgeon
For three to four specimens, a 50-liter aquarium is adequate. A shallow, elongated tank works best — at temperatures up to 20°C, you might manage without additional aeration, though I recommend installing a compressor regardless.
The gudgeon is a coldwater species, making its care specific. During summer, water temperature shouldn’t exceed 20-22°C. This presents the main challenge: in hot weather, you’ll need cooling measures (fans, partial water changes with cooler water).
Gudgeons aren’t demanding about water hardness, and pH should be neutral. Dechlorinated tap water works fine. Ensure good filtration — gudgeons prefer clean, oxygen-rich water.
Tank Decoration
Cover the bottom with sand or fine gravel, matching the species’ natural habitat. Arrange several caves and grottos on the bottom where fish can hide. Willow driftwood makes attractive decoration.
Any coldwater plants work well: vallisneria, elodea, hornwort. Since gudgeons occupy bottom layers primarily, dense vegetation in the upper tank portion won’t interfere.
Feeding
You can feed gudgeons practically any live food. In my experience, they particularly enjoy insect larvae: bloodworms, mayfly larvae, caddisfly larvae. They readily consume earthworms, which you can chop into small pieces.
Youngsters eat cyclops, daphnia, and small bloodworms. You can acclimate the fish to quality dry foods if necessary, though live foods remain preferable.
Obtaining Gudgeon
You won’t find gudgeons at aquarium shops. If you want to keep these fish at home, you’ll need to collect them yourself. In nearby waters where this species lives, you might catch several specimens with a net. This method isn’t ideal — it requires considerable skill, and adult fish caught from natural waters adapt poorly to aquarium life.
You’ll achieve much better results by observing carefully and attempting to collect eggs during spawning season (May-June). The eggs are light gray, approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter. Since the eggs are adhesive, you can often find small stones covered with attached eggs.
Place this stone in a container with water from the same body of water. Transport the eggs home for incubation within one to two hours. During transport, use a portable air pump — eggs are extremely sensitive to oxygen deficiency. Similar attention to water quality applies when keeping other sensitive species, as detailed in various aquarium safety guidelines.
Breeding in Aquarium
Once you’ve mastered keeping gudgeons at home, you might want to breed them. Several nuances exist here.
Conditioning Breeders
To trigger spawning in spring, keep fish during winter at temperatures around 5-10°C. This mimics natural overwintering and stimulates sexual product maturation.
Spawning Tank
The breeding setup should imitate shallows. You’ll need a shallow, elongated tank at least 90 centimeters long. Arrange substrate in a slope so water depth measures about 20 centimeters on one side and 3-4 centimeters on the other.
Establish additional aeration and current, gradually raising water temperature to 18-20°C. You can place plants and several stones in the spawning tank for eggs to adhere to.
Spawning Process
When fish are ready, spawning begins. They release eggs in small batches over several days. The adhesive eggs stick to vegetation and stones, becoming encrusted with sand grains and nearly invisible.
After spawning completes, remove adult fish from the breeding tank. Incubation lasts three to five days depending on temperature.
Raising Fry
Starter food for fry is paramecium. Soon after — cyclops, daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii. Youngsters grow relatively slowly, but with proper feeding reach 5 centimeters by the end of their first year.
You can release surplus fry into the water body where you originally collected eggs or adult fish. This is both rewarding and helps the natural population.
Compatibility with Other Species
The gudgeon is a peaceful schooling fish. You can keep it with other coldwater species, though such tankmate options are limited. Some goldfish varieties might work, but consider neighbors’ size and activity level.
Avoid keeping gudgeons with large predators or overly active species. A species-only tank works best, or select other coldwater fauna representatives with similar requirements.
Coldwater Fish Keeping Considerations
A gudgeon in aquarium has as much right to exist as any tropical fish. Keeping gudgeons is no less fascinating than maintaining exotic species in your home-created lake. Just remember they need cooler water.
Today, heating water with technical equipment is easier than cooling it. Though in fairness, our predecessors managed this task relatively well using various cooling methods.
The gudgeon suits hobbyists who don’t fear challenges — from obtaining specimens capable of adapting to home conditions, to cooling water during summer heat. Nevertheless, this fish deserves aquarists’ attention no less than any other species. Observing gudgeon behavior is as interesting as watching tropical fish — they demonstrate natural bottom-dwelling habits, use barbels for food searching, and display engaging social behavior in schools.
Article updated: 2026-10-21
