Gudgeon
📖 Overview
Occurs in nearly all types of riverine and lacustrine habitats with sand bottom. Found in small mountain streams, large lowland rivers and large lakes . Inhabits fast flowing rivers with sand or gravel bottom but may also occur in still waters. Forms schools. Feeds on insect larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans. Normally active during the day but if they are disturbed, in particular, by predators, they can defer their activity to periods when light intensity is weak. Capable of emitting squeaking sounds. These vocalizations, which is a means by which fish communicate with each other, vary with the degree of activity and the temperature and are independent of the season of reproduction . Breeds in shallow water over stones, sand or plant material. Eggs are released above substrate and drift with current, sinking to bottom and sticking to substrate. Larvae and juveniles occur on the bottom and prefer detritus-rich sandy habitats and low current .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2 - 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8; Vertebrae: 39 - 41. Diagnosed from other congeners in Europe by the possession of the following characters: barbel reaching beyond anterior eye margin, usually to middle of eye; snout length greater than postorbital distance; head length 26-30% SL; eye diameter 5-7% SL; 1.0-1.4 times in interorbital distance in over about 6 cm SL specimens (less in smaller ones), 2.4-2.8 times in head depth; head depth 15-17% SL at nape, 43-51% HL at eye; body depth 19-23% SL; head width 14-16% SL, 49-57% HL; caudal peduncle depth 30-34% HL; breast naked between pectorals; scales between anus and anal origin 4-5; scales on lateral line usually 39-42 + 2; and scales around caudal peduncle usually 12-14 . Caudal fin with 19 rays . Scalar formula: 38-45 .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Gudgeon is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawns once a year for several years in low productivity streams, but exhibits multiple spawning within a season in high productivity environments . Releases eggs above substrate which drift with current, sink to the bottom and stick to substrate. Larvae and juveniles occur on the bottom and prefer detritus-rich sandy habitats and low current .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 20; potamodromous. Temperate; 2°C - 18°C ; 67°N - 36°N, 10°W - 142°E North and Baltic Sea basins, from Loire drainage eastward, eastern Great Britain, Rhône and Volga drainages, upper Danube and middle and upper Dniestr and Dniepr drainages; in Finland, north to about 61°N.
🌿 Ecology
insect larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Gudgeon is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Gudgeon is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Gudgeon has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungia nigrescens | Keyserling | 1861 | Heterotypic |
| Cobitis fundulus | Wulff | 1765 | Heterotypic |
| Cyprinus gobio | Linnaeus | 1758 | Homotypic |
| Gobio balcanicus | Dimovski & Grupce | 1977 | Synonym |
| Gobio fluviatilis | Fleming | 1828 | Synonym |
| Gobio fluviatilis lepidolaemus | Kessler | 1872 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio albanicus | Oliva | 1961 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio balcanicus | Dimovski & Grupche | 1977 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio gobio | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio katopyga | Berg | 1914 | Heterotypic |
| Gobio gobio kovatchevi | Chichkoff | 1937 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio lepidolaemus | Kessler | 1872 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio longicirris | Berg | 1914 | Heterotypic |
| Gobio gobio muresia | Jászfalusi | 1951 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio nikolskyi | Turdakov & Piskarev | 1955 | Synonym |
| Gobio gobio prosopyga | Berg | 1914 | Heterotypic |
| Gobio gobio saramaticus | Berg | 1949 | Synonym |
| Gobio latus | Anikin | 1905 | Synonym |
| Gobio lepidolaemus | Kessler | 1872 | Synonym |
| Gobio nigrescens | Keyserling | 1861 | Heterotypic |
| Gobio phoxinoides | De la Pylaie | 1835 | Heterotypic |
| Gobio saxatilis | Koch | 1840 | Synonym |
| Gobio vulgaris | Heckel | 1837 | Synonym |
| Leuciscus gobio | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 93 records indexed .
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