I found the Peacock Gudgeon in a petstore being clearance for $5.00. The store was unable to tell me much about the species and so I did a bit of online research on my own.

The majority of the species is sold in-store between 1 to 1 1/2 inches, however the fish actually gets a maximum of 2 1/2 inches. They are very beautiful and the adults have an amazing array of colour. I recommend searching for an adult photo if your interested in purchasing to get a feel for what they will really look like.

A peaceful fish, my female was only an inch when I got her and so I've been keeping her in my 10 gallon with Zebra Danios, but will be moving her to the 20 gallon when I get more. They get along very well, even schooling together once in awhile and during feeding sessions. I have heard conflicting reports about what to feed the species, however I have had no problems getting her to accept flake food - though I recommend getting one with a high protien percentage.

They are not overly picky about the water's properties and are relatively easy to care for. They can be hard to find and most I've found run between $9.95 to $14.99. I've actually had to special order more through a local aquarium store since she was the last one when I got her.

Personality wise they are peaceful and generally get along well with eachother and other community fish. The only time I had trouble was when she started fin nipping on my Butterfly Loach (aka Borneo Suckers) and then only when he wasn't moving.

Mine swims at most levels, though is most comfortable near the bottom and cover. She tends to hunt food here, however this may also be because I have only one and she is nerveous and my danios are very active in the top/middle parts of the tank.

HarpersE

I have two of these in my 55 gallon glass with 2 red whiptail cats, four glowlight tetras, a pair of swordtails, and a blue dwarf gourami, along with two ciclids. They are probably my favorites, next to the red cats.

Mine are very gentle and should be fed with an eyedropper, as the others are pigs, and tend to grab all the food. I feed the cats with a feeder also, as they're always hanging on the uptake for the filter, and would starve if I didn't feed them separate. As it is, the others have figured out there might be food on the intake, so I have to hang out and make sure they eat.

When I got them, they wanted to eat tiny specks, but are now up to live or frozen brine shrimp, frozen glass worms, flake, freeze-dried krill and even seaweed sheets I clip to the glass or stick to the filter where the cats are. It stays intact for hours (please remove after a few) and keeps the fish "regular" in terms of digestion and pooping.

Please note that if you have a pair of swordtails that you will VERY likely end up with baby fish fry if you feed live food, so aim the frozen stuff at them to prevent this. The swords also like sinking flakes, and are easily distracted.

Fry are NOT good food for your fish. They carry bacteria, and of course, aren't good for the fry.