Pseudomugil furcatus

The Forktail Blue-Eye, or Pseudomugil furcatus, is a small, colorful fish that adds a pop of color to any aquarium. Aquarists love this fish for its vibrant blue eyes and lively personality, which are complemented by its striking yellow body.

Pseudomugil furcatus is a native of Papua New Guinea’s rivers and streams. It does well in freshwater tanks that are kept up. Because of their ease of maintenance, these fish are a fantastic option for both novice and seasoned hobbyists. They are best kept in groups so they can exhibit their innate behaviors, as they are known to be peaceful creatures.

Even aside from their aesthetic appeal, these fish are fascinating to watch. The aquarium is given life and movement by their energetic swimming patterns and lighthearted interactions with other tank mates. Pseudomugil furcatus is a fantastic addition to any home aquarium, whether you’re looking to add a touch of elegance or just enjoy watching their antics.

Parameter Description
Common Name Forktail Blue-eye
Scientific Name Pseudomugil furcatus
Origin New Guinea
Size Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
Water Temperature 22-28°C (72-82°F)
pH Level 6.0-7.5
Diet Omnivorous
Tank Size Minimum 20 liters (5 gallons)
Behavior Peaceful, schooling fish

Habitat and habitat

It is unique to Papua New Guinea, found in streams in tropical forests southeast of Popondetta, the provincial capital of Oro.

Despite its popularity in the aquarium trade, this species—which is described from "Peria Creek, Kwagira River, eastern Papua New Guinea"—is limited to a small area in the country’s northern and Milne Bay provinces.

Believed to reside in the waters between the Musa and Kwagila River basins, which flow into Dyke Acland Bay and Collingwood Bay, respectively, where they have been observed.

Primarily found in streams with clear water, slow to moderate flow, thick riparian vegetation, and low elevation.

Although there is a noticeable increase in rainfall during the northwest monsoon, which occurs between December and March, the air temperature in Papua New Guinea is generally stable. This leads to an increase in the volume, turbidity, and flow velocity of rivers and streams.

Conversely, these environments may become partially drained during the dry season; typical specimens were gathered from reservoirs in dried-up streams alongside Eleotris carpet (Tateurndina ocellicauda).

Description

With blue eyes and a predominantly yellow-green body background, this species is incredibly attractive. possesses two dorsal fins, the smaller of which is the first, spaced apart by a tiny gap. Males have transparent dorsal and anal fins with narrow yellow edges. The pectoral fins are raised up, and the ventral and pectoral fins are frequently colored a rich orange.

The fins’ caudal lobes have a black border around their yellowish tips. The pectoral and ventral fins of females are transparent, while the caudal lobes of the fins have a yellowish hue. The second dorsal fin’s outermost portion is a vivid yellow color. There is a tiny dark edge to the body scales. The primary characteristics that set males apart from females are their more vivid coloring and their longer and more elongated dorsal fin.

Their caudal fin is longer and more deeply forked than that of the majority of other Australian and New Guinean pseudomugils.

Size:

The length in the wild is roughly 6 cm, and in an aquarium, it is no more than 5 cm.

The lively and colorful freshwater fish Pseudomugil furcatus, commonly called the Forktail Blue-eye, adds a pop of color to any aquarium. This little, peaceful species is a wonderful option for novice and seasoned aquarium keepers alike because it requires little maintenance. Pseudomugil furcatus, with its striking appearance and active behavior, flourishes in well-kept tanks with lots of plants so it can show off its natural beauty and coexist peacefully with other fish.

Behavior and compatibility

Bright, incredibly lively, and serene, they make excellent additions to a carefully selected aquarium community, along with many Cyprinidae, Gobies, Eleotris, small rainbowfish, and freshwater shrimps belonging to the genus Caridina and Neocaridina. The carpet Eleotris that they coexist with in nature is particularly fitting.

Since they are a schooling species, you should keep them in groups of no fewer than eight or ten. The fish will become less timid if they are kept in such large quantities, and they will also exhibit more amazing and spontaneous behavior. Males will compete with one another for the attention of females by showcasing their best colors and thrilling sparring matches.

Aquarium

The smallest aquarium that should be taken into consideration is one that has a base measuring 60 by 30 cm.

It is preferable to keep it in an aquarium full of dense plant growth. To further diffuse bright light, the aquarium should have long-stemmed and floating plants. Various moss species, branches, and snags will also help to replicate the natural habitat conditions that the fish will find most comfortable.

Mosses are necessary for raising fry alongside adult fish in a species aquarium, as the fry can find self-sustenance and shelter in their dense thickets.

Water parameters:

In the range of 24 to 28 °C pH range: 7.0 to 8.0 Hardness: 12–16 degrees dGH

Water must be filtered and aerated, and a light current should be created in the aquarium. Every week, one-third of the water needs to be replaced.

A biologically immature aquarium should not contain this fish because it could be vulnerable to changes in the water’s chemistry.

Nutrition

In the wild, they eat tiny invertebrates, diatoms, and floating phyto- and zooplankton.

They are omnivores in an aquarium and do well on dry food, but they also like frozen and live foods like brine shrimp, corethra, and small bloodworm larvae. The fish’s mouth is small, so the food should also be small. They mostly consume food at the surface.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males are brighter and more slender than females, and as they age, their unpaired fins distinctly lengthen.

At three to four months, they reach sexual maturity.

Breeding

The process of breeding is very easy. Into the spawning aquarium are released 8–10 females and 2-3 males. This ratio enables the females to lay a greater number of eggs without becoming overly exhausted from the active courtship of the males. Paired spawning is feasible as well, but it needs more care. The male has the power to hurt a female if they are not a good fit. Usually, the issue is resolved by replacing the female. It’s interesting to watch how rival males behave during spawning.

It is preferable to add Java moss to the aquarium so that the female can lay her eggs on it as a spawning substrate. The female fish lays no more than 10 eggs at a time due to the large size of the eggs compared to the small size of the adult fish. The producers frequently eat the laid eggs and fry them, so the moss containing the eggs should be moved right away to another rearing aquarium. Another one should be placed in the spawning tank. When the fry grow, the amount of water in the aquarium should be gradually increased from its small size.

The fry can immediately accept Artemia nauplii, micro-worms, and food of a similar size during the approximately 21-day incubation period, which varies based on the temperature. The fry develop rapidly.

Females typically produce smaller, sterile eggs up until about eight months of age, or they simply do not develop.

They are not long-lived; in the wild, they typically have a single mating season. Although they can live up to three years in aquariums, most of them lose their fertility around the age of twelve to eighteen months.

A stunning and lively addition to any freshwater aquarium is Pseudomugil furcatus. They are a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts because of their dynamic energy and vivid colors and lively behavior.

As long as their water conditions are kept up to date and they are fed a balanced diet, these fish are fairly simple to care for. It is best to keep them in small schools to promote natural behavior and lessen stress because they thrive in groups.

Pseudomugil furcatus can be a rewarding species to keep, regardless of your level of experience with aquarium maintenance. They are an excellent option for any aquarium setup because of their distinctive look and captivating personality.

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Anton Popov

A professional aquarist with over 15 years of experience. Main specialization - marine aquariums and creating optimal conditions for keeping rare species of fish and corals. I am fond of aquascaping, actively participate in international competitions. I love to share knowledge and experience to help others create the beauty of the underwater world at home.

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