Oddballs & others · Tateurndina ocellicauda

Peacock gudgeon care guide

Also called: Peacock goby, Peacock gudgeon goby

The peacock gudgeon is a small, colorful sleeper goby from Papua New Guinea, about 2.5 in (6 cm) long, with an eye-spot at the base of the tail. It is peaceful with other small fish but eats baby shrimp, and each male needs a cave of his own.

Peacock gudgeons need a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 L), a group of 2 or more, and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 6 cm (2.4 in) and are peaceful.

Plan a tank with peacock gudgeonsSee all tank mates

Peacock gudgeon quick facts

Scientific nameTateurndina ocellicauda
FamilyEleotridae
OriginRainforest streams and pools of eastern Papua New Guinea (listed as Vulnerable in the wild; most shop fish are captive-bred)
Adult size6 cm (2.4 in)
Minimum tank15 gallons (57 L)
Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH6.5–7.5
Hardness (GH)5–10 dGH
Group size2 or more, with more females than males (pair)
TemperamentPeaceful; males fight each other
Swims atBottom
DietCarnivore
Care levelEasy
Lifespan4–5 years
Safe with shrimp?Mostly (eats baby shrimp)
Safe with plants?Yes
  • Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.

Tank setup

A pair needs at least 15 gallons (57 L), and 20 gallons (76 L) or more suits a small group. Floor space matters more than height, since they stay low in the tank. Give each male a cave, such as a short pipe, coconut shell or gap between rocks, plus plants and wood for cover. Fit a tight lid, because they jump.

How many peacock gudgeons in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits peacock gudgeons is a 15 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

TankPeacock gudgeons (alone)
3 gallonToo small
5 gallonToo small
10 gallonToo small
15 gallon2–11
20 gallon2–14
20 gallon long2–14
29 gallon2–21
40 gallon2–29
55 gallon2–40
75 gallon2–55
125 gallon2–92

Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep a group of 2 or more with more females than males.

What you need for peacock gudgeons

Sized for a 15 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 2 peacock gudgeons. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.

Tank and equipment

Food and extras for peacock gudgeons

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Water parameters

Keep them at 22–26 °C (72–79 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water of about 5–10 dGH. Gentle flow suits them. Change about a quarter of the water each week to keep nitrate low.

Best tank mates for peacock gudgeons

These popular species share peacock gudgeons' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 95 good matches.

Avoid keeping peacock gudgeons with

  • Oscar: Oscar can eat peacock gudgeons: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful peacock gudgeons.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful peacock gudgeons.
  • Discus: They need different temperatures: Peacock gudgeon 22–26°C (72–79°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Peacock gudgeons don't belong in that setup.
  • German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Peacock gudgeon 22–26°C (72–79°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).

Feeding

They are micropredators that prefer small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms. Many learn to take micro pellets or flakes, but meaty foods keep their colors bright and get them ready to spawn. Feed small portions once or twice a day.

Behavior

Calm and peaceful toward other species, they hover near the bottom and around their caves. Males claim a cave and flare at each other, but it is mostly display when each has his own spot. They can turn shy next to fast, pushy fish. Good tankmates are small, peaceful fish like rasboras, small tetras, corydoras and forktail blue-eyes, which share their home waters.

Breeding

They are cave spawners and breed readily when well fed. The female lays sticky eggs on the roof of a cave, and the male guards and fans them until they hatch. The fry are tiny and need infusoria or powdered food first, then baby brine shrimp. Raise them in a separate tank for the best survival.

Tips from experienced keepers

  • Give every male a cave, plus a spare. Short pipes and coconut shells work well.
  • Adult cherry shrimp are usually safe, but shrimplets get eaten. Use dense moss if you want a shrimp colony to grow.
  • Offer frozen or live food a few times a week, even if they take dry food.
  • Close gaps in the lid. They are good jumpers.
  • Start with a pair or a small group with more females than males. Males grow a bit larger and brighter.

Frequently asked questions

Are peacock gudgeons aggressive?

No. They are peaceful with other small fish. Males posture and flare at each other over caves, but real fights are rare when each has a hiding spot.

Can peacock gudgeons live with cherry shrimp?

Adult cherry shrimp are usually left alone, but baby shrimp get eaten, so a colony grows slowly. Dense moss gives shrimplets places to hide, and amano shrimp are safe.

What size tank do peacock gudgeons need?

At least 15 gallons (57 L) for a pair, and 20 gallons (76 L) or more for a small group with several caves.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.