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| Carp Gudgeon are a small species of fish, usually around
30-40 mm in length and their maximum length is 6.5 cm. The males are
slightly larger than females. |
There is considerable confusion over correctly identifying the different
types of Carp Gudgeon in south-eastern Australia. This is because there
are 3-5 known different species and quite a few half-breeds of the fish.
Carp Gudgeon are widespread and common throughout the lower and mid-altitudes
in the Murray-Darling Basin. Carp Gudgeon are generally not found in
faster-flowing streams.
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IN THE PAST
Carp Gudgeon are widespread and abundant. |
TODAY
Carp Gudgeon are still widespread and abundant. |
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| RIVERS AND LAKES |
Carp Gudgeon are found in lowland rivers and creeks. They
are also found in lakes and swamps.
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| SLOW MOVING WATERS |
AQUATIC PLANT BEDS |
| Carp Gudgeon are found in slow-flowing or still waters,
and they like to swim in and around all kinds of vegetation found in
the water. |
| More research still needs to done, however it is thought that all Carp
Gudgeon species have similar breeding habits. |
MATING
Carp Gudgeon are adults by the end of their first year. Fish form
pairs, with the male selecting the spawning site. |
SPAWNING
Spawning occurs when water temperature is higher than approximately
22.5°C, and usually after there has been a rise in the water level.
The spawning season stretches from spring to autumn and a number of spawning
occurs during this time. |
EGGS
Carp Gudgeon eggs are sticky and are about 0.5 mm in diameter.
Spawning occurs over twigs and vegetation in shallow water. Females produce
between 1000 and 2000 eggs at a time. The male stays to guard and fan
the eggs until they hatch. |
JUVENILES
Hatching occurs after approximately 50 hours. Carp Gudgeon larvae
are between 1.8 mm and 2.1 mm long. |
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| Carp Gudgeon live in lakes and they prefer to feed in mid-water areas.
They usually only eat meat. Important items in their diet include a wide
variety of aquatic insects. However, sometimes, they also eat some plant
material. Carp Gudgeon are often eaten by larger fish such as Golden
Perch, Murray Cod and trout. |
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| Carp Gudgeon are often found in small schools in vegetated areas.
However, they are also found in large schools below dams and weirs.
In the past, Carp Gudgeon are not thought to have moved over large
distances. However, recent research in the Murray River has shown
that large numbers of this fish have been found at the bottom of fishways.
This suggests that upstream movement may be important to them now. |
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IN THE PAST
Historically there were no fisheries. |
TODAY
Currently there are no fisheries. |
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IN THE PAST
Carp Gudgeon were probably too small to have been targeted by Aborigines
and early settlers. |
TODAY
Carp Gudgeon are not currently targeted by recreational fishing
people. |
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LEGAL SIZES
There are no size limits on Carp Gudgeon that can be caught. This
applies to all States of Australia. |
CATCH LIMITS
There are no limits on the number of Carp Gudgeon that can be
caught each day. This applies to all States of Australia. |
CLOSED SEASONS
Carp Gudgeon can be caught all year round in all States of Australia. |
BAIT
Carp Gudgeon have not been legally used for live bait in New South
Wales and the Australian Capital Territory but they are used as live
bait in other States. They can be collected for aquariums. |
| There is an abundance of because that may have benefited from river
regulation which has made some areas of water more permanent.
Unfortunately, in some areas, they are thought to be infested with
a breed of tapeworm that has been introduced into the region. |
REMEDIES?
Carp Gudgeon are not bred artificially and are not stocked in
the rivers, lakes or dams of the Basin. |
RECOVERY PLANS
There are no recovery plans
in place for the Carp Gudgeon as it is abundant in the wild. |
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