Encyclopaedia
Blueback Blue-eye
Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis
A tiny and spectacular brackish and marine blue-eye, characterized by a neon-blue back in males.
- Family
- Pseudomugilidae
- Origin
- Australia settentrionale: coste del Territorio del Nord e dell'Australia occidentale, in mangrovie e paludi ipersaline.
- Origin
- Extra-Amazon South AmericaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
20 °C - 30 °C
7.5 - 8.5
Brackish / Marine
Surface and middle
3.5 cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Coastal mangrove forests and mudflats of northern Australia, experiencing large salinity shifts.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Pseudomugilidae. One of the smallest blue-eyes, growing up to 3.5 cm. Deep blue eyes and compressed body.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, schooling species. Keep in groups of 8 or more. Males perform courtship displays displaying their bright yellow fins.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males have a striking metallic blue back and bright yellow dorsal/anal fins with black edges. Females are translucent grey.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Brackish or marine paludarium or nano tank. Decorate with roots mimicking mangrove structures. Gentle current is best.
Diet and Feeding: Hard to feed. Mostly ignores dry foods. Requires live foods like fresh brine shrimp nauplii and copepods.
Water Quality: Must be kept in brackish (SG 1.015+) or full saltwater. Highly sensitive to freshwater drops. Stable parameters are vital.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Keep in a dedicated tank or with very small, peaceful brackish species. Do not mix with large tankmates.
Aquarium Breeding: Difficult. Spawns on fine mosses. Hatching takes around 12 days. Fry need rotifers or marine infusoria.
Risks and Diseases: Vulnerable to shock from water changes. High jump risk; requires a completely covered aquarium.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico, estremamente attivo e gregario
- Diet
- Carnivoro microscopico, richiede naupli d'artemia e copepodi
- Tank level
- Surface and middle
- Minimum group
- 8
- Adult size
- 3.5 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 60 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- 3 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Basso
- Flow
- Moderato
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Oviparo. Depone uova resistenti alla salinità; gli avannotti richiedono cibo vivo microscopico.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Adatto ad acquari specifici salmastri o marini. Richiede di vivere in banchi numerosi.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
- Trophic level
- 3.2 ± 0.4 se
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00389, b = 3.12
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
