More info
Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 40 litres / 10.57 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 3.5cm / 1.38inches |
| Temperature | 21°C / 69.80°F - 31°C / 87.80°F |
| Hardness | 10.03dgH / 179ppm - 25.04dgH / 447ppm |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 |
General Description
Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis, commonly known as Neon Blue-Eye, is a small fish species reaching a maximum size of about 3.5cm. Males of this species can be easily distinguished by their bright metallic blue upper body, giving them the nickname "blueback blue-eye."
Aquarium Setup
Maintaining P. cyanodorsalis can be challenging, as they are peaceful but timid and easily outcompeted in communal aquariums. It is best to house them with fishes of similar size and disposition. The species thrives when kept in groups of at least 8-10 specimens in brackish conditions with a specific gravity between 1.001 to 1.010. The aquarium should be well-oxygenated, decorated with thin branches to mimic mangrove roots, and have a degree of water flow. Live plants may not survive in brackish water, so artificial alternatives can be used.
Behaviour
P. cyanodorsalis display shoaling behavior and are best kept in groups. Maintaining them in larger numbers reduces their nervousness and enhances the natural look of the aquarium. Males exhibit their best colors and compete for female attention in a group setting.
Feeding and Diet
In nature, Neon Blue-Eyes primarily feed on floating or suspended zooplankton, phytoplankton, and invertebrates. In an aquarium, their diet should consist of live foods such as Daphnia, Moina, Artemia nauplii, and micro worms, along with small/crushed floating dried foods.
Reproduction & Dimorphism
P. cyanodorsalis is an egg-scatterer species with no parental care. Spawning usually occurs in warmer temperatures, with females laying eggs on aquatic vegetation or directly on the substrate. Males are more colorful, patterned, and larger than females, with extended unpaired fins as they mature. Breeding can be done in isolation using spawning media or in a well-planted aquarium setup.
Habitat and Distribution
These fish are euryhaline, adaptable to various water conditions, and can be found in coastal waters of northern Australia and possibly southern New Guinea. They thrive in coastal mangrove creeks and swamps, where water conditions can vary daily or seasonally. P. cyanodorsalis is commonly found in large aggregations when present in its habitats.