Empire Gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa (Krefft, 1864)

Scientific name: Hypseleotris compressa
Alternative name/s:
Carp Gudgeon, Empire Fish, Northern Carp-gudgeon
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    11/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Empire Gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa Click to enlarge image
An Empire Gudgeon from Narara Creek, Gosford, New South Wales, 2011. Image: Robert McCormack
© Robert McCormack

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Hypseleotris
    Species
    compressa
    Family
    Eleotridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 12 cm in length.

Introduction

The Empire Gudgeon is a small freshwater species. Males are vibrantly coloured during the breeding season.

Identification

Females are brown to golden and whitish below. In the breeding season males become bright orange-rea on the head and belly. The dorsal and anal fins become bright red-orange basally and with a dark sub-marginal stripe and lighter margins.

Habitat

Normally found in the lower reaches of coastal rivers and streams in still or flowing waters with juveniles occurring in fast flowing water and often schooling in estuaries. Tolerant of salinity levels equal to sea water.

Distribution

The species is known from Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Australia it occurs primarily in in the lower reaches of coastal drainages from central Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south on the east coast to southern New South Wales. Normally found in still or flowing waters with juveniles occurring in fast flowing water and often schooling in estuaries. Tolerant of salinity levels equal to sea water and temperatures up to 35°C.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

Diet includes a range of aquatic invertebrates such as cladocerans and insect larvae but also grazes on algae and detritus.

Breeding behaviours

Normally spawns in the warmer months with eggs being laid on rock, weed or sand and guarded by the male.

Further reading

  1. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.