Listen to the song – Little Gudgeon
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
The Little Gudgeon
The First Jewel
“Every angler remembers the fish that first made their float disappear beneath the surface.”
Species Profile
Common Name: Gudgeon
Scientific Name: Gobio gobio
Family: Cyprinidae (The Carp Family)
Average Length: 10–15 cm (4–6 inches)
Maximum Length: Around 20 cm (8 inches)
Typical Weight: Up to 110 g (4 oz)
Favourite Habitat: Clean rivers, streams and gravel-bottomed lakes.
Diet: Insect larvae, bloodworms, freshwater shrimps, tiny crustaceans and other small creatures found amongst the gravel.
Conservation Status: A common native species that depends upon healthy, well-oxygenated waters.
Behind the Song
When I began writing Our Jewels in the Water, there was never any doubt that the Gudgeon would be among the very first species to receive its own song.
Its cheerful nature, its importance to generations of young anglers and the happy memories it evokes made it the perfect introduction to this musical journey beneath the surface.
The song celebrates not the size of the fish, but the joy it has brought to countless people discovering angling for the very first time.
Conservation
Although still widespread across much of Britain, the Gudgeon depends upon clean rivers with healthy gravel beds. Protecting our waterways from pollution, excessive silt and habitat destruction helps ensure that future generations of children will experience the same excitement of catching their very first Gudgeon.
Did you know?
Gudgeon were once one of the first fish many young anglers caught on rivers throughout Britain. Although small, they have inspired generations to take up fishing.
“Never judge the importance of a fish by its size. Sometimes the smallest jewel shines the brightest.”
— Clive Branson