Aru Gudgeon, Oxyeleotris aruensis (Weber 1911)


Aru Gudgeon, Oxyeleotris aruensis. Source: Neil Armstrong. License: All rights reserved

Summary:
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Cite this page as:
Martin F. Gomon, Oxyeleotris aruensis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 13 Oct 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4153

Aru Gudgeon, Oxyeleotris aruensis (Weber 1911)

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Distribution

Known in Australia from western Cape York (Jardine River, 11°10'S) and on eastern Cape York from the Pascoe River (12°42'S) to Rockhampton (23°50'S); also occurs in New Guinea; benthic, inhabiting freshwater rivers, creeks, lakes, and swamps, usually over mud or sand bottoms, frequently among weeds.

Features

Dorsal fin VI +  I, 12-14; Anal fin I, 10-12; Pectoral fin 13-16; Transverse scales Sc 16-18; Gill rakers (lower limb) 6-7; Vertebrae 27-29.
Body elongate, anteriorly depressed, posteriorly compressed, depth 4.5-5.5 in SL. Head depressed, profile straight, 2.75-3.2 in SL. Snout slightly shorter than eye to as long as eye, tip before lower margin of eye. Anterior nostril in short tube. Eye diameter 4.5-6.0 in head length; interorbital 1-2 eye diameters. Lower jaw prominent, mouth oblique, reaching to below anterior part or middle of eye; jaw teeth in several rows, upper jaw with outer row slightly enlarged; outer row in lower jaw at front and a few teeth laterally of inner row enlarged. Head pores minute; some open pores around eyes and along posterior margin of preopercle. Mucous canals radiating under eye; two canals longitudinally on cheek.
Scales on body ctenoid, cycloid on nape, breast and belly; longitudinal series 55-60; cycloid scales on head scaled above from dorsal fin to in front of eyes, on cheek and opercle; predorsal scales 35-40.
Two dorsal fins, first dorsal fin much lower than body depth; height of second dorsal about 0.67 body depth; caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fin rounded, as long as head without snout. Pelvic fins separate, slightly shorter than pectorals.

Size

To around 16 cm SL, commonly to 10 cm SL.

Colour

Dark brown to pale brown, tan on belly; frequently with chevron-shaped marks on sides; 2-3 dark brown bands radiating from eye across cheek; smaller individuals with dark brown spot at base of upper caudal rays; fins dark or dusky brown; dorsal and caudal fins spotted in juveniles and some adults.

Feeding

Feeds on terrestrial and aquatic insects, crustaceans, and fishes.

Biology

Likely to be oviparous, benthic spawners.

Species Citation

Eleotris (Oxyeleotris) aruensis Weber, M. (1911). Die Fische der Aru- und Kei-Inseln. Ein Beitrag zur Zoogeographie dieser Inseln. Abh. Senckenb. Naturforsch. Ges. 34: 1–49 figs 1–11 pls 1–2 [33, pl. 1(5)].
Aru Island, Indonesia.

Author

Martin F. Gomon

Resources

 

Aru Gudgeon, Oxyeleotris aruensis (Weber 1911)

References


Allen, G.R. (1989). Freshwater Fishes of Australia.  Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp. pls 1–63 [196].

Allen, G.R. & Hoese, D.F. (1980). A collection of fishes from the Jardine River, Cape York Peninsula, Australia. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 63(2): 53–61 figs 1–2 (as Oxyeleotris sp. A).

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. (2002). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia.  Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37429036

Habitat:freshwater

Max Size:16 cm SL

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