Description
Pacific blue-eye Pseudomugil Signifer
Overview
Pacific blue-eye Pseudomugil Signifer is a fish species native to eastern Australia that belongs to the Pseudomugilinae subfamily. It was first described in 1866 by Austrian naturalist Rudolf Kner. It consists of two subspecies previously considered to separate species.
Origin
These fishes are commonly found in rivers and estuaries from Cape York in North Queensland to southern New South Wales.
Characteristics
Pacific blue-eye Pseudomugil Signifer grows around 3.25 cm and is known to have two dorsal fins and a blue eye-ring. Males have a larger fin and have a brighter color compared to their female counterparts. These fishes can swim with its head up or down, which increases or decreases buoyancy. This adaptation aids the fish in surviving the wide range of salinities encountered in its estuarine habitat.
.Feeding
Water-based, flying insects and terrestrial insects, including various flies and algae, make up their diet. According to research, Pacific blue-eyes spent time near the surface of Narrabeen Lakes looking for dead flying insects, consuming anything smaller than their tiny mouth. Pacific blue-eye relies on vision to forage, and the murkiness of the water affects its ability to find food.
you can also give them treats like the following:
- frozen food
- Micropellets
- Flake
- baby brine shrimp
- daphnia
Tank Requirements
Tank size: 20 gallons (minimum)
Temperature: 23-27 °C
Ph level: 6.5 - 7.5
DH: 15 degrees (max)
Breeding
Adult males have an average length of 2.8 cm, while the female counterparts sexually mature about six months and typically reach the size of 2.3 cm. Studies showed that males tend to choose larger females who are more productive.
They can breed in both freshwater and saltwater. In the wild, they can live within 1 to 2 years and live up to 3 years if kept in an aquarium, while males can live up to 4 years. Pacific blue-eyes spawn in gravel or moss at the base of aquatic plants in aquariums. An experiment in which Pacific blue-eyes and mosquitofish kept together revealed that the latter's presence significantly impacted the former's growth and breeding. There might be some signs of direct aggression (bite marks on fins), but the stress from the contact may make a huge factor.
