Identification and Range
This profile covers Butis amboinensis. Similar fishes in the genus Butis can be confused, so a shared aquarium nickname is not enough to establish identity. Its recorded range includes parts of the Philippines, Indonesia and western Pacific islands.
Size and Weight
The published maximum standard length is 14 cm, about 5.5 inches. Standard length stops at the base of the tail fin; a total-length measurement would include the fin. No dependable maximum body weight was established in the material checked.
Habitat and Natural Food
Mud, sandy mud and leaf litter occur in its coastal habitats. Some records extend upstream from estuarine settings. Small fishes, shrimps and prawns form part of its predatory diet.
Fishing Context
There is no verified species-specific recreational bait or lure recommendation in this profile. Feeding observations describe its ecology; they do not establish which bait works best or demonstrate a fishery in any listed water.
A Hunter Beneath the Wood
Individuals have been observed beneath dead wood with their eyes directed downward. That upside-down position places them where passing prey can be intercepted. The posture is part of its hunting behavior and should not automatically be interpreted as an injured fish.
All Lakes With Ambon Gudgeon
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Ambon Gudgeon records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.