Gudgeon

Gobio gobio, or the gudgeon or common gudgeon, is a species of fish in the family Gobionidae. This small fish is widely distributed in freshwater streams and lakes across central and temperate Eurasia.

The gudgeon inhabits various freshwater habitats with sandy bottoms. It is a gregarious species, and feeds on benthic invertebrates. Its lifespan is up to five years. Gudgeons are usually smaller than 12 cm, rarely over 15 cm long. The common name gudgeon may also refer to other species of fish.

Distribution

The gudgeon is present in freshwater systems that drain into the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and Baltic Sea basins. These drainages include the Loire drainage and the drainages further east, the eastern Great Britain and Rhône drainages, the upper Danube and middle and upper Dniestr, and the Bug and Dniepr drainages in the Black Sea basin. It is unclear how far into Asia its range extends. It is typically found in lakes, rivers and streams of all sizes that have sandy or gravelly bottoms.

Behaviour

The gudgeon moves in shoals over sandy and gravelly bottoms, feeding on worms, aquatic insects and larvae, small mollusks, ova, and fry. It is normally active during the day. It is capable of emitting squeaking sounds, which are believed to be a means of communication between individuals. It breeds in shallow waters over stones. Eggs are laid from April to August, when water temperatures are above 13 °C. The eggs are released above the substrate and drift with the current before adhering to the bottom. The larvae and juveniles feed on detritus on the bottom. The fingerlings grow to some 12 cm (4.7 in) in the first year. This fish can live for up to five years. The species is much valued for its delicate flavour.