Pacific Blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) Care Guide
Pseudomugil signifer is a small euryhaline blue-eye from eastern Australia, tolerating fresh, brackish and marine water across its range.
Overview
Pseudomugil signifer, the Pacific blue-eye, is a small fish of the family Pseudomugilidae. FishBase lists a maximum of about 7 cm standard length. It is silvery with olive or pale-yellow tones and a distinctive blue iris; males develop orange-tinted fins in breeding condition.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pseudomugilidae
- Genus: Pseudomugil
- Scientific name: Pseudomugil signifer
Habitat
Found along eastern Australia from Narooma in New South Wales to the Rocky River on Cape York, inhabiting small streams, estuaries, dune lagoons and salt marshes. It is a euryhaline species, occurring in fresh, brackish and marine waters, and adjusts to salinity changes by altering swim-bladder volume over several hours.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 8-25 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
An omnivore that feeds largely on flying and aquatic insects, small crustaceans and algae, foraging by sight. In aquaria it accepts small dry foods and frozen or live items such as daphnia and brine shrimp.
Compatibility
A peaceful, top-dwelling species that forms loose schools, naturally aggregating from tens to thousands of individuals. Keep in groups of eight or more with other small, peaceful surface and mid-water species such as small rasboras.
Breeding
Wikipedia reports that females mature at about six months or 2.3 cm standard length and males at about 2.8 cm. Lifespan is around 1-2 years in the wild and 2-3 years in captivity.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019).