The Forktail Blue-Eye Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus) is a small, energetic freshwater nano fish native to rainforest streams in Papua New Guinea. Beloved for its glowing blue eyes, vibrant yellow fins, and playful “wing-like” swimming motion, it is an ideal schooling fish for planted community aquariums.

Quick Species Overview:

• Adult Size: About 5 to 6 cm .
• Lifespan: 2 to 3 years.
• Temperament: Extremely peaceful and highly active.
• Social Needs: Strictly a schooling fish; keep in groups of 6 to 10+ (with more females than males to manage mating energy).

Ideal Tank Setup & Parameters:

• Tank Size: Minimum 38 litres (10, but a 75-litre tank is preferred to accommodate their fast, constant swimming.
• Water Temperature: Stable between 24°C and 26.5°C.
• pH Range: 6.0 to 8.0.
• Environment: A heavily planted tank with floating vegetation provides cover and brings out their best coloration. Use a dark substrate and ensure you have a tight-fitting lid, as they are notorious jumpers.
• Water Flow: Gentle to moderate filtration with high oxygenation.

Diet & Feeding:

Because they have very small mouths, they require tiny, easily manageable foods. They are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet:

• Live/Frozen Foods: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and microworms. Try our Aquaforest Liquid Artemia Freshwater – 250ml
• Prepared Foods: High-quality micro-pellets and crushed krill flakes.

Compatible Tank Mates:

They do exceptionally well in quiet community settings. Great choices include:

• Other peaceful nano fish like Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, and Harlequin Rasboras.
• Bottom dwellers like ancistrus and small Corydoras.
• Adult dwarf shrimp (e.g., Cherry or Amano shrimp) and snails, though they may occasionally snack on tiny newborn shrimplets.