Hypseleotris compressa
| Hypseleotris compressa | |
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Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Eleotridae |
| Genus: | Hypseleotris |
| Species: | H. compressa |
| Binomial name | |
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Hypseleotris compressa (Krefft, 1864) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Eleotris compressus Krefft, 1864 |
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Eleotris compressus Krefft, 1864
The empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) is a species of gudgeon endemic to Australia and south-central New Guinea. It can be up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long, the males being larger than the females. The fish has omnivorous feeding habits. During the breeding season, the male's colour becomes much brighter than usual, which is used to attract a mate. When the fish spawns during the warm part of the year, up to 3,000 eggs are laid by the female, which hatch after 10–14 days.
Gerard Krefft described the empire gudgeon in 1864 as Eleotris compressus, having been discovered by one James F. Wilcox.
H. compressa has an elongated body which can be up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long. The males are larger than the females. The fish does not have a lateral line. It has ctenoid scales.
Its color varies, but the fish generally has a yellowish-tan to golden-brown head, although it can occasionally be a dark brown. Its abdomen is usually a whitish-red color. During the off-breeding seasons, males can be identified by prominent, variously colored bands on their anal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin is a "dusky" colour, and the pectoral and pelvic fins have no colour. During the breeding season, the male's colors brighten significantly, turning a red-orange colour, and sometimes appearing to glow. The male fish uses his colours to attract a mate. The species can quickly change shade of color if needed.
The H. compressa population is mostly concentrated in the northern and eastern portions of Australia and south-central New Guinea. It has also been found in the Torres Strait, around Muralag and Horn Island.
The fish is most commonly found in freshwater flowing rivers or streams, but is also found in still water. It is usually found in the lower reaches of rivers, but can also live upstream. It swims amongst aquatic plants and branches, and sometimes hides among rocks, using them as "caves".
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Wikipedia