Cox's Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus coxii (Krefft, 1864)

Scientific name: Gobiomorphus coxii
Alternative name/s:
Mulgoa Gudgeon, Nepean Gudgeon
Cox's Gudgeon, Gobiomorphus coxii Click to enlarge image
A Cox's Gudgeon at a depth of 1 m, Nepean River, near Douglas Park, New South Wales, 16 November 2008. Image: Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Gobiomorphus
    Species
    coxii
    Family
    Eleotridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 19 cm in length but is more commonly seen up to 15 cm.

Introduction

Cox's Gudgeon occurs from southern Queensland to southern Victoria, in coastal freshwaters and inland up to about 700 m altitude. Juveniles are able to climb waterfalls by rotating their pectoral fins so that the inside surfaces of the fins are pressed against the wall creating suction.

Identification

Cox's Gudgeon has a moderately elongate body and a slightly flattened head.

Live fish are brown, olive or purplish above, yellow to bluish on the sides and pale below. There are dark blotches on the upper sides and a dark stripe on the side of the body. The stripe is sometimes broken into blotches. Two brown bands extend from the rear of the eye. The two dorsal fins have dark stripes.

Habitat

The species is found in coastal freshwaters and inland up to about 700 m altitude.

Juveniles are often found at lower altitudes. It is believed that they are initially washed downstream and over spring and summer complete an upstream migration . They are able to climb waterfalls by rotating their pectoral fins so that the inside surfaces of the fins are pressed against the wall creating suction.

Distribution

Cox's Gudgeon is endemic to Australia, occurring from southern Queensland to southern Victoria.

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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
  2. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  3. 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.
  4. Larson, H.K. & D.F. Hoese in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
  5. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.