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Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon
Mogurnda adspersa
Mogurnda adspersa (commonly known as the southern purple-spotted gudgeon) is a species of endangered gudgeon that is endemic to south-eastern mainland Australia (the states of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria and Queensland). The fish is brown, although the shade becomes lighter near its abdomen. Spots of various colours occur on its sides. After a dramatic population decline in the late 20th century, the fish was thought to be locally extinct in several areas, but was rediscovered both in South Australia and Victoria in the 21st century. Various state governments, the (Commonwealth Government) Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and various volunteer organisations have been taking measures to increase the fish's numbers.
From the article Mogurnda adspersa on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Description
Mogurnda adspersa is countershaded dark brown on top, with its colour becoming progressively lighter on the sides and underside, where it is light brown or cream. The fish has three red bars on each cheek, and red, purple, black, and white spots along its sides. These spots are more visible when it is breeding. It is typically 8 cm (3.1 in) long, although it can grow up to 14 cm (5.5 in).
Range & habitat
The southern purple-spotted gudgeon is endemic to southeastern Australia, particularly the Murray-Darling basin and coastal drainages northeast of the Clarence River. It is a benthic fish, and is usually found in calm rivers or creeks. It swims among underwater plants, branches, and rocks.
Wikipedia: “Distribution and habitat”
What it does
The fish feeds on small fish, plants, and other assorted animals, such as shrimp, worms, tadpoles, insects larvae, and small crustaceans.
Wikipedia: “Feeding”
Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
Drag the globe to turn it. Dots are where records exist, not a range map; darker means more records.
In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Mogurnda adspersa in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 369148.