About Mogurnda adspersa (Castelnau, 1878)
Mogurnda adspersa, commonly called the southern purple-spotted gudgeon, has countershaded body coloration: it is dark brown on the upper body, with color that lightens progressively along the sides and underside, which is light brown or cream. This fish has three red bars on each cheek, and spots in red, purple, black, and white along its sides. These spots are more visible when the fish is breeding. Adults are typically 8 cm (3.1 in) long, and can grow as large as 14 cm (5.5 in). This species is endemic to southeastern Australia, occurring particularly in the Murray-Darling basin and coastal drainages northeast of the Clarence River. It is a benthic fish that usually inhabits calm rivers or creeks, and it swims among underwater plants, branches, and rocks.
