Forktail Blue-eye
Pseudomugil furcatus
The Forktail Blue-eye (Pseudomugil furcatus) is a spark of pure aquatic joy. This micro-fish (maximum 5-6 cm / 2 inches) is characterized, as the name suggests, by bright neon blue eyes and a conspicuously forked caudal fin with sun-yellow edges. Males engage in continuous and exhausting dance displays, swimming in tight circles (sparring) and showing off their large upward-pointing pectoral fins. Their hyperactivity and dazzling color make them one of the most spectacular choices for heavily planted nano-aquariums.
Wassertemperatur
24 - 28 °C
pH-Wert
7 - 8
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Oberfläche und Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
6 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 60 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 8
GH
5 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 7 dKH
TDS
95 - 295 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
148 - 461 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Papua New Guinea. Populates shaded forest rivers and streams with dense aquatic vegetation, clear water and moderate flow, often in limestone areas.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Forktail Blue-eye (Pseudomugil furcatus). Melanotaeniid. Characterized by two close dorsal fins (typical of blue-eyes). Penetrating iridescent blue eyes and forked tail (furcatus).
Social Behavior: Extremely gregarious and choreographic. Males swim shoulder to shoulder performing elaborate "Sparring dances", snapping their yellow fins up and down to intimidate each other and attract females, without ever getting hurt.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacle in yellow. The body is semi-transparent golden. Males exhibit wide bright sunshine yellow margins on all fins and black stripes on the margins of the tail. Females are paler, with short, transparent fins.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: 80 cm (32 inches) tank. It is essential to provide ample space for open swimming and thick bushes of stem plants (Myriophyllum, Rotala) where males can establish temporary mini-territories and females can hide.
Diet and Feeding: Micro-insectivore. They have very small mouths and narrow throats. They only eat food floating in mid-water or on the surface. Live brine shrimp nauplii are the ideal food to trigger golden reflections.
Water Quality: Hard water lovers. Unlike Amazonian fish, they tolerate soft and acidic waters poorly. They require a pH between 7.0 and 8.0 and a medium-high GH to maintain perfect osmoregulation and avoid bacterial collapse.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful community fish, perfect with other Rainbowfish, Corydoras and Loricariids. Not recommended to pair with aggressive fish, slow eaters (they would be outcompeted) or male Bettas (who would mistake their yellow fins for a threat).
Aquarium Breeding: Continuous scatterers. Females release a few adhesive eggs among the mosses every morning. Parents will eat their own eggs and larvae; to save the fry (which hatch in 15 days), use wool Mops and transfer them.
Risks and Diseases: Competition Exhaustion. Males in a group with few females will engage in challenges so grueling that they will end up losing weight, wearing out their fins and dying prematurely. Always maintain a ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Papua New Guinea. Populates shaded forest rivers and streams with dense aquatic vegetation, clear water and moderate flow, often in limestone areas.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeAfrika und MadagaskarOstasienAustralien, Neuguinea und Ozeanien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Active
- This species is highly active, social, and entirely peaceful. Males will spar harmlessly with each other to establish dominance. They bring lively energy to any nano aquarium.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- They are omnivorous micro-predators. Their diet should consist of crushed high-quality flakes, microworms, and baby brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps their colors exceptionally bright.
- Lebenserwartung
- 2-3 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 6 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- Specific M:F ratio
- Keep a ratio of one male to two or three females. Males display heavily and can pester females if the ratio is off. Keeping more females diffuses the male's attention.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- Feed them small amounts twice a day. They have tiny mouths, so food must be appropriately sized. Ensure they consume everything within a few minutes to avoid pollution.
- Bioload
- Low
- The Forktail Blue-eye has a very low bioload. They are small fish that produce minimal waste. Regular maintenance is still required to keep the water pristine.
- Fluss
- Moderate
- They enjoy moderate water flow that mimics their natural streams. A gentle current from a sponge filter or small powerhead is ideal. Too much flow can exhaust these small fish.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- They have a moderate jump risk, especially when startled or breeding. A well-fitting lid is strongly recommended. Floating plants can also deter them from jumping.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- They are plant spawners that breed readily in well-maintained aquariums. Females scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs hatch in about two weeks and require infusoria.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Verify
- They are extremely peaceful and perfect for planted community tanks. Keep them with other nano fish and peaceful invertebrates. Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive species.
- Tankfüllstand
- Top/Middle
- They predominantly occupy the middle and upper levels of the tank. They are highly active and constantly moving. They appreciate open swimming spaces alongside planted areas.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3,3 ± 0,4 se
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.01122, b = 3.04
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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