Empire Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa)

Common Name

Empire Gudgeon
Hypseleotris compressa

A brilliantly colored Australian gudgeon. Non-breeding fish are olive to golden with neat fin markings. Breeding males glow with red-orange on the head and lower sides with crisp blacks and whites in the fins — a transformation that has to be seen to be believed.

Origin and Habitat

Native to coastal drainages of northern and eastern Australia from Western Australia across the Top End to eastern Victoria, with populations also in southern central Papua New Guinea and West Papua. Adults favor lower river reaches, backwaters, floodplain lagoons, and upper estuaries among aquatic vegetation and submerged wood. Juveniles often use faster riffles and brackish margins. The species tolerates fresh to brackish and even marine salinity after acclimation.

Temperature and Water Conditions

A dependable aquarium range is 20 to 27 °C (68 to 80.6 °F).

• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, nitrate low, temperature steady, and provide strong oxygenation with clean, moderate flow.
• Slight brackish influence is tolerated when acclimated.
• Stable conditions are far more important than chasing exact parameters.

Appearance and Size

Males develop an elevated forehead, intense red-orange on the head and lower flanks, bold black fin bands edged with white, and an eye-catching spot above the pectoral base. Females are more subdued in olive and gold with clearer fins. Maximum adult size is up to about 12 cm TL (4.7 in), with many aquarium fish commonly reaching 7–10 cm TL (2.8–3.9 in).

Diet in the Wild

An omnivorous picker that forages through leaf litter and vegetation for microcrustaceans, small aquatic insects and their larvae, and some algae and biofilm.

Feeding in Captivity

Offer a rotation of quality micro pellets and flakes, with regular small servings of live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, mosquito larvae, and newly hatched brine shrimp.

• Two to three modest feedings per day keep condition and color high while limiting waste.
• Include a green component to mirror wild grazing on algae and biofilm.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful with appropriately sized companions but predatory toward tiny fry and very small shrimp.

• Keep as a pair or small group and provide visual breaks so subordinates can avoid dominant males.
• Give open swimming space plus structure using wood, rounded rock, and sturdy planting.
• Flow should be steady and oxygen high.
• Use a tight-fitting lid since excited fish will explore all levels.

Live plants are generally safe. Broad leaves and shaded retreats are appreciated and help showcase the male’s display.

Breeding

In nature this species is amphidromous. Adults spawn in fresh water and the male guards adhesive eggs until they hatch (usually in about 10–14 hours depending on temperature). The pro-larvae then drift toward estuaries.

Captive breeding follows the same sequence and uses a two-stage approach:

• Condition a pair or small group in very clean, well-oxygenated fresh water at 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) with flat stones, wood, or broad leaves as spawning sites. The male guards and fans the eggs.
• At hatch, move the guarded site or pro-larvae to a separate brackish nursery (10–20 ‰ salinity) with gentle aeration, constant soft light, and greenwater.
• Feed marine-size plankton continuously (usually rotifers such as Brachionus), then transition to newly hatched brine shrimp.
• Maintain impeccable cleanliness and high oxygen.
• As juveniles settle, gradually step salinity down to fresh water over several days, then raise on enriched brine shrimp and fine prepared foods.

The estuary-style nursery is the key to success.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Hypseleotris compressa
• Common name: Empire Gudgeon
• Origin: Northern and eastern Australia, southern central Papua New Guinea and West Papua
• Adult size: Up to ~12 cm TL (~4.7 in), commonly 7–10 cm TL (~2.8–3.9 in)
• Temperature: 20–27 °C (68–80.6 °F)
• pH: Broadly tolerant (~5.0–9.1 reported), keep stable
• Hardness and salinity: Fresh to brackish tolerated with acclimation
• Temperament: Peaceful, can prey on tiny fry and very small shrimp
• Diet: Omnivore favoring small invertebrates and grazing algae/biofilm
• Breeding: Substrate spawner guarded by male; larvae need brackish nursery with rotifers and gradual return to fresh water

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

This is a true centerpiece fish from Australia and New Guinea. A mature male becomes the brightest fish in the tank, with red-orange on the head, bold black and white fin bands, and constant courtship color shifts. Give it clean, well-oxygenated water with steady flow, a long tank for cruising, and structure such as wood, rounded rock, and broad leaves. Keep the menu varied and you will see the full display on a regular basis.