Western carp gudgeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western carp gudgeon |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The western carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris klunzingeri) is a small, interesting fish. It lives in the Australian Murray-Darling River system. These fish are often found in rivers, creeks, and billabongs. They like water that is about 1 to 2 meters deep. They also prefer areas with lots of water plants or sunken wood for shelter.
Like many other native fish from the Murray-Darling area, western carp gudgeons have spread. They crossed the Great Dividing Range naturally. Now, you can find them in rivers along Australia's East Coast. This includes areas from the Hunter River in New South Wales to the Fitzroy River in central Queensland.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
Western carp gudgeons are small fish. They usually grow to be about 30–40 mm long. Some bigger ones can reach almost 60 mm. Their bodies are often yellowish or clear. They have light grey spots and see-through fins.
During summer, male western carp gudgeons get special colors for spawning. Their bodies turn a shiny bronze color. They also get a red stripe on their tail, anal, and dorsal fins. This red stripe has a tiny, bright blue-white line on top. This blue-white line is very noticeable on their spiny dorsal fin.
Life Cycle and Habitat
Western carp gudgeons lay their eggs in summer. They attach their eggs to water plants in shallow areas. Changes in river levels can sometimes harm these eggs. This happens if the water level drops and exposes the eggs.
These small fish are an important food source for other fish. Young Murray cod and other larger fish likely eat them. Western carp gudgeons have adapted well to man-made lakes in the Murray-Darling system. They are very common in some of these lakes.
Western Carp Gudgeons as Pets
Western carp gudgeons make great pet fish for aquariums. They are active and colorful. They are also quite tough and easy to care for. They enjoy eating live or frozen brine shrimp. They also like tiny invertebrates and small fish food pellets. It's interesting that you can't usually buy them in pet stores. People who want them often catch their own from the wild.
About Their Name
The scientific name for this fish, klunzingeri, honors a German doctor and zoologist named Carl Benjamin Klunzinger. He lived from 1834 to 1914. In 1880, he thought this fish was a different species.
Western carp gudgeons are thought to be the most common type of carp gudgeon. However, scientists have found that there are actually many different kinds. It's a bit complicated, and their names might change in the future.
Even though they are called "carp gudgeons," they are not related to carp at all. Carp are a different type of fish.
Health Concerns
Sometimes, an introduced parasite called the Asian fish tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi) can affect these fish. This parasite has caused problems for western carp gudgeons in places like Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin. It is also thought to affect other Australian freshwater fish.
