Furry Diary

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Peacock Gudgeon

Tateurndina ocellicauda

Also called Peacock goby

SpeciesShort profile

From Eastern Papua New Guinea, in lowland rainforest streams, rivers and ponds.123

At a glance the quick version

Length5 to 7.5 cm213
Sizesmall
Jewel-like colours
Peaceful with community fish
Devoted fathers that guard their eggs
13

Looks how to spot one

Elongated scaled fish

A slim, colourful sleeper goby. Males are larger and grow a raised hump behind the head; females are smaller and more streamlined.13

Coloursblue-silver bodypink and red spotted stripesyellow belly (brighter in females)black eyespot at the tail base31

Personality what they are like

Peaceful toward other species and a little territorial with its own kind, mostly mild posturing between males.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Hovers in loose groups just above the bottom and appreciates places to retreat.23

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Temperature 22-26 C, pH about 6.5-7.5, soft to medium water (around 5-10 dGH).12

Home where they are happiest

At least a 45 x 30 cm footprint (about 41 litres) for a couple of pairs. Dim light, plants and plenty of caves or pipes for hiding and breeding.13

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Eats insects, larvae and small crustaceans. Offer small live and frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm; it also takes dried food.13

Company who they like around

Can be kept in small groups or pairs; good company for calm rainbowfish, tetras, rasboras and Corydoras.1

The story where it all began

Nichols described the species in 1955 and created the genus Tateurndina for it. It remains the only member of its genus.23

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Despite the nickname 'peacock goby', it is a sleeper goby (family Eleotridae), not a true goby.3

  2. 2

    Pairs clean out a cave before spawning, and the male fans and guards the eggs alone.2

  3. 3

    Courting males swim in circles and flare their pectoral fins at the female.3

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List (via FishBase)
Vulnerable (assessed 2020).2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Peacock Gudgeon. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. Seriously Fish: Tateurndina ocellicauda seriouslyfish.comused for size, care, behaviour, diet
  2. FishBase: Tateurndina ocellicauda fishbase.seused for size, range, water parameters, IUCN, breeding
  3. Wikipedia: Peacock gudgeon en.wikipedia.orgused for colours, size, breeding, history, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.