Common Name
Flathead Gudgeon
Alternate name
Big-headed Gudgeon, Bull-headed Gudgeon
No images were found for this Species
Comment
Probably widespread.
Stronghold population
False
Regionally significant/rationale
False
Restricted distribution/rationale
False
Local distribution
Found in the catchments of most Gold Coast waterways. Found in fresh and brackish waters
Known location
Tallebudgera Valley, Mudgeeraba, Clagiraba, Merrimac, Wolffdene, Logan River, Coomera River, Nerang
Other locality
Probably widespread in streams and rivers.f
General ecology
This species resides within lakes, rivers, reservoirs and brackish estuaries and prefers a mud or rock substrate. It is commonly found among aquatic vegetation.
Specific ecology
The Flathead Gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) is a native bottom-dwelling Australian species and prefers still or slow-flowing water.
Habitat comment
Often less common than the other gudgeon.
Diet
Prey items include other small fish, crustaceans, insects and tadpoles.
Reproduction
A clutch of up to 900 elongated eggs are laid by females on a hard surface such as a piece of wood or rock. It is the male who guards and cares for the eggs, chasing away predators and fanning the eggs with his pectoral fins.
Range
This species is widespread and common throughout the south-east coastal areas of Australia.
Description
It has a broad and flat head with a large mouth. This species is found in a number of colours, from black, brown, grey or reddish to greenish-brown all over. It is yellow on the sides with irregular faint brown markings and a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Several dark bands radiate from the eye. Alternating bands of grey and orange are noticeable on the caudal and dorsal fins. Reaching a maximum size of about 12cm although around 8cm is more common.
