Family: Eleotridae
Black Gudgeon — a Eleotridae from Indo-Pacific estuaries, peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Reaches 19.5–28.6 cm; a bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere. 18–26 °C.
Eleotris melanosoma is a Eleotridae from Indo-Pacific estuaries. In the wild it prefers warm freshwater streams and lakes; in the aquarium it stays peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Plan on 19.5–28.6 cm of adult fish at 18–26 °C. Related profiles: Eleotris oxycephala, Eleotris acanthopoma, Eleotris fusca.
Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. A bonded pair claims one cave; keep others elsewhere.
Aim for 18–26 °C. Stable temperature matching the species origin; 18–26 °C typical for the genus.
Full size is 19.5–28.6 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its middle of the water column habits.
Small carnivore — live, frozen and fine sinking foods. It forages naturally over fine sand and gravel, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful but territorial toward its own kind. Recommended tankmates: Non-goby bottom fish — Ignore its territorial posturing. Avoid Large aggressive fish — Shatter its sense of cover.
Comes from Indo-Pacific estuaries: warm freshwater streams and lakes. Expect still to gentle current and moderate oxygen levels.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
In the aquarium: hidden-clutch spawner with paternal care. Subtle external differences.