Gudgeons

Gudgeon is a common name applied to several small, bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes. The best known is Gobio gobio, the common gudgeon, native to Europe and western Asia, but the term also covers various other small cyprinids and, in some regions, sleeper gobies (family Eleotridae) that local speakers call gudgeons. The classification of gudgeons spans several genera and families within Cypriniformes.

Gudgeons are typically small, slender fishes that inhabit slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and similar habitats. They usually have subdued brown, olive, or silver coloration that helps camouflage them among gravel and leaf litter. They are benthic and often shelter among substrates such as gravel, sand, or vegetation.

Ecology and diet: Gudgeons feed primarily on small invertebrates, including insect larvae and crustaceans, and may also consume algae. They prefer clean or moderately clear waters with gravelly or sandy bottoms but can tolerate a range of conditions, from clear streams to somewhat turbid waters.

Reproduction: Spawning commonly occurs in spring or early summer. Eggs are laid on gravel, vegetation, or other substrates and hatch after a period influenced by water temperature. In many species, there is little to no parental care after eggs are laid.

Relationship with humans: Gudgeons are sometimes sought by anglers as bycatch and are kept in freshwater aquariums. Some populations have declined due to habitat loss, pollution, and water extraction, while others remain common in suitable habitats.