Gudgeon

Care

Gudgeon are a bottom-dwelling species that congregate and move about in large shoals. For this reason, these sociable fish should be kept in groups of 5 or more in a pond situation. They will learn to come up to the surface for food, but a good deal of time is spent nosing about on the bottom of the pond, in turn helping to stir up silt and detritus, putting it into suspension for removal by the filtration system. If your Gudgeon aren't immediately visible in the pond, look for patches of bubbles appearing from underneath plants, which have been released through the Gudgeon's digging activity (often more apparent at dawn and dusk). These fish are capable of communicating by emitting squeaking sounds, and the intensity of these sounds can vary depending on time of year, temperature of the water, activity levels etc. This species is listed on the IUCN redlist for endangered species as 'Lower Risk - Least Concern'.

Feeding

Gudgeon prefer sinking foods, but they will learn to take pond flakes, pond pellets, pond sticks, live/frozen foods etc from the water's surface. Will also feed on small insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans etc.

Breeding

The breeding season for the egg-scattering Gudgeon is April-July.