Gobio gobio - Gudgeon
Commonly found in canals, ponds and moderately fast-flowing streams,
gudgeon are very adaptable and among the more tolerant of fishes to
disturbance - for example from passing boat traffic. They often shoal and
invariably remain on the bottom, where their mouths are ideally adapted
for grubbing for food in the silt.
These small, barbel-like cyprinids (carp family) fish
rarely grow to more than eight inches (20cm) in length and most mature at
around half that size. They spawn between April and July, are often a
young angler's first introduction to the thrills of fishing. Gudgeon have
two barbules at the side of the mouth, whereas barbel have four - a useful
identification feature if in doubt whether you have caught a gudgeon or a
small barbel.
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