Brown Gudgeon

Eleotris fusca is a widely distributed sleeper goby found throughout the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the Pacific islands, inhabiting estuarine mudflats, mangroves, and the lower reaches of coastal rivers. It is an amphidromous species, with larvae developing at sea before juveniles return to fresh and brackish water. Its plain brown colouration belies its hardiness and interesting behaviour.

Water: 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, specific gravity 1.000–1.015; very tolerant of salinity changes. Tank: 200 L minimum; sandy or muddy substrate with plenty of hiding spots and caves. Feeding: Carnivorous; frozen prawns, krill, fish pieces, earthworms, and large frozen foods. Behaviour: Mostly sedentary bottom-dweller; becomes active at feeding time; not aggressive except to prey. Compatibility: Can be kept with large, robust brackish fish it cannot eat; swallows small fish.