Forktail Blue-eye
Pseudomugil furcatus
Tiny Papua New Guinea gem that puts on its best show in a proper group
About
The forktail blue-eye (Pseudomugil furcatus) is a small but lively fish from a very specific corner of the world. The lowland rainforest streams of eastern Papua New Guinea, where it lives under dense canopy cover between Dyke Ackland Bay and Collingwood Bay. Males carry yellow-tipped fins with a distinctly forked tail, and when kept in a good-sized group they really come into their own, displaying vivid coloration and animated courtship behavior as they compete for female attention. This is not a fish to keep in twos or threes. A shoal of eight to ten individuals is the realistic minimum, both for the fishes' confidence and for the visual payoff. It's a genuinely peaceful species and does well alongside similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. The eleotrid peacock gudgeon shares its native habitat and makes a natural pairing in a themed setup. Care sits at an intermediate level. Not difficult exactly, but this species rewards attention to water quality and consistency. Planted tanks suit it well, and if you want to attempt breeding, dense moss and floating plants with trailing roots give eggs and fry the best chance. The entire hobby population is believed to trace back to a single collection, so breeders should be aware of potential inbreeding concerns that can affect fertility and fry quality.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Forktail Blue-eye
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Forktail Blue-eye get?
- The Forktail Blue-eye reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Forktail Blue-eye need?
- A minimum of 14 gallons is recommended for the Forktail Blue-eye, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Forktail Blue-eye need?
- The Forktail Blue-eye does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 5–30 dGH.
- Is the Forktail Blue-eye aggressive?
- The Forktail Blue-eye is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Forktail Blue-eye eat?
- The Forktail Blue-eye is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Forktail Blue-eye live?
- With good care, the Forktail Blue-eye typically lives 3-6 years.