EMPIRE GUDGEON | HYPSELEOTRIS COMPRESSA

The Empire Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) is a stunning and peaceful freshwater fish native to Australia and New Guinea, prized for its bright coloration and calm temperament. Males, especially during breeding season, display intense red and orange hues on their fins and tail, contrasted by a shimmering blue-green body — making them one of the most colorful small native fish available to aquarists. Females are more subdued in color, typically golden or tan, but equally graceful.

Empire Gudgeons grow to about 3–4 inches in length and thrive in aquariums of 20 gallons or larger with clean, well-filtered water. Ideal parameters include a temperature between 72–82°F, pH of 6.8–7.8, and moderate hardness. They prefer setups with fine sand or smooth gravel substrates, plants, and driftwood for shelter, as well as some open swimming space.

These fish are peaceful and make excellent community tank residents when kept with other non-aggressive species such as tetras, rasboras, rainbowfish, or Corydoras. Males can show mild territorial behavior toward each other during spawning, so maintaining a small group with a good ratio of females helps reduce competition.

Empire Gudgeons are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet of high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Regular feedings of live or frozen foods help intensify their coloration.

With their brilliant appearance, hardy nature, and calm demeanor, Empire Gudgeons are a fantastic choice for aquarists looking to add a splash of native Australian beauty and personality to their freshwater aquarium.