Nichols, 1955
Forktail Blue-eye
This is a small species growing to around 5-6cm. Having two dorsal fins and separated by a gap. Usually around yellow green in colour. The dorsal and anal fins of the males are transparent and as it matures has yellow tips. The pectoral fins are also quite exquisite with a hint of red. The caudal fins appears as a fork which differs from the others in it’s genus.
Distribution
Originally collected from Peria Creek, a tributary of the Kwagira (Kwagila) River, in eastern Papua New Guinea.
Recently collected from Safia, in the Musa River valley and also found in small, clear rainforest streams.
Ranging between Dyke Ackland and Collingwood Bays in PNG.
Habitat
They are generally found in small, clear, relatively swift-flowing freshwater streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. Water conditions reported from their natural habitats are: Temperature 24-28.5°C; pH 7.0-8.0 and Hardness 90-180 ppm.
Personal remarks
Having these fish in the shop on a consistent basis we are so glad to provide such remarkable specimens to the hobby. They are quite a hardy fish and they do well in groups of 6 or more.
Literature
Allen G.R. (1980) A Generic Classification of the Rainbowfishes (Family Melanotaeniidae). Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 (3): 449-490.
Allen G.R. (1981) Popondetta connieae, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie 8 (2): 43-46.
Allen G.R. (1991) Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Crockford B. (1984) The genus Popondetta. Fishes of Sahul 2(2): 66-68.
Nichols J. T. (1955) Results of the Archbold expeditions. No. 71. Two new fresh-water fishes from New Guinea. American Museum Novitates 1735: 1-6.
Saeed B., W. Ivantsoff, and G. R. Allen (1989) Taxonomic revision of the family Pseudomugilidae (Order Atheriniformes). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 719-787.
