Giant mud-gudgeon
📖 Overview
Often collected from lower freshwater streams and tidal estuaries in mangrove forests, especially near the upper limits of estuary reaches with freshwater inflow and low salinity (0-14‰, 3 sites). The adults and juveniles were usually found on emergent plants in daytime, motionless near riverbanks at night, with the latter also occurring in tide pools with muddy or gravel bottoms. Associated with other amphidromous eleotrids, Eleotris fusca and Giuris tolsoni, inhabiting the same site. Also often observed with Eleotris acanthopomus and Redigobius bikolanus. Consumed in Japan .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 25 - 26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: longitudinal row scales 32-36; predorsal scales 21-26; snout length 10.3-12.0% of SL; upper jaw length 13.6-16.2% of SL; pectoral fin length in young specimens (< 97.7 mm SL) 25.0-27.6% of SL; caudal fin length 28.3-36.7% of SL; opercular scales cycloid; infraorbital neuromast rows from the eye are usually seven. Colouration: trunk with two beige oblique bands; dorsal and caudal fins with dark brown spots; juveniles with white or light brown markings on middle and ventral parts of caudal fin base .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant mud-gudgeon is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Subtropical West Pacific: Japan (Ryukyu Archipelago), the Philippines, Palau, Micronesia, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia; including Papua New Guinea (New Ireland).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Ophiocara Gigas 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 Giant mud-gudgeon is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant mud-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 |
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🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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