Peacock Gudgeon Identification Guide

Key identification features

• Small, robust, slightly compressed body
• Blue-gray to lavender base color with orange or red speckling across the fins
• Two separate rounded dorsal fins
• Prominent dark spot ringed in gold at the base of the tail (caudal ocellus)
• Mature males develop a fatty nuchal hump on the forehead
• Semi-translucent fins with fine iridescent flecking near the edges
• Small size, typically reaching about 6-7 cm

Common look-alikes

• Mogurnda gudgeons: lack the gold-ringed ocellus at the tail base and show duller, less speckled fins
• Dwarf rainbowfish: similarly sized and colorful but has one long-based dorsal fin instead of two separate dorsal fins
• Other Tateurndina-like gobies: rarely show the same combination of orange fin speckling and tail ocellus

Where you'll see one

Peacock Gudgeons are native to slow, vegetated freshwater streams and pools in Papua New Guinea. They shelter among leaf litter, roots, and submerged branches, staying close to cover rather than in open water, and are typically seen in small loose groups near the bottom.