Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Pseudomugil signifer
Pseudomugil signata
Atherina signata
Atherinosoma jamesonii
Common name
Pacific blue-eye
Pacific Signifer Blue Eye Rainbowfish
Origin
Origin: Australia
Biotope: Papua New Guinea
Dimorphism
The male is a little larger and more colourful. There is also black on the male's anal and dorsal fins.
Group
Pseudomugilidae
Volume
90 L / 20 imp gal / 24 US gal
Parameters
T°: 24 to 26°C or 75 to 79°F
pH: 7 to 7.5
Hardness: 5 to 15°dGH
Difficulty
Average
Size
3 to 4.5cm (1.2 to 1.6")
Longevity
2 to 3 years
Living zone
Middle and top
Individuals
10
Food
Food
How to feed the Pacific blue-eye?
This Pseudomugil is an omnivore with insectivorous tendency easy to feed. Even if it accepts any type of food after a period of adaptation, there is a very clear preference for live prey. Thus, microworms, artemia and daphnia will be his delight! Supplement with classic freeze-dried food.
In any case, make sure that the food offered is adapted to the size of his mouth!
Behavior
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Pacific blue-eye have?
Calmer than its cousin the Pseudomugil furcatus, it is still a rather lively and active fish. It is peaceful and has a very good sociability. However, it is a bit tainted during the breeding season when males show aggressiveness towards its rivals which can be dangerous. To avoid disasters, introduce your group into a sufficiently spacious and planted aquarium.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Pacific blue-eye?
In nature, it can be found in hundreds or even thousands of individuals. No need to convince you of its gregarious character! It will thus be necessary to acquire a minimum of 10 specimens for their well-being. However, they will not form a school as such. Of course, the more they are numerous, the more they adopt a behaviour close to natural! If the volume of your aquarium allows it, increase your population!
Pseudomugil signifier not posing any particular cohabitation problem, they can be kept in a community aquarium. Choose small peaceful fish to accompany them such as Cyprinidae, Gobiidae or small Melanoteniidae (Melanotaenia praecox for example). Cohabitation with the Tateur (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is particularly recommended.
Breeding
Breeding
How to breed the Pacific blue-eye?
Quite easy.
Prepare a laying and breeding aquarium of about 50 litres / 11 Imp Gal / 13 US Gal, equipped with a filter and an immersion heater. Put fine-leaved plants such as Java moss or mops on the floor of the aquarium. These will serve as egg-laying supports. Floating plants should also be provided as the fry will grow close to the surface.
Introduce 1 male and 2/3 females and increase the temperature by one or two degrees (within the tolerance range of the species). After spawning, one female will lay eggs over several days at several locations in the aquarium. Remove the parents immediately after spawning because they eat their own eggs and fry.
The eggs will stick to the decoration with filaments. Incubation lasts between 10 and 21 days depending on the temperature. After hatching, the tiny fry are difficult to see. The fry grow very slowly. Sexing will only be possible around 8 months.
Older water can lead to high mortality. It is therefore essential to make regular small water changes. Take advantage of this to siphon off the food remains accumulated at the bottom of the tank. To monitor for any abnormality in this respect, you will notice that your fry have a head that "bends" in relation to the back line. A change of water is sufficient to solve the problem.
Feeding the fry: infusers, artemia nauplias. Feed small meals twice a day.
Its aquarium
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Pacific blue-eye?
First of all, your aquarium must be absolutely mature and stable at the parameter levels. Indeed, this fish does not tolerate variations in the chemical parameters of the water. Pay particular attention to the nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) levels to which it is particularly sensitive. The renewal of the water is therefore a central point of its maintenance (they do not like to evolve in old water). You will have to renew 10% of the water every week, using new water with identical parameters. Make the change slowly.
Good filtration will not only ensure satisfactory water quality, but also a moderate current and good oxygenation of the water.
The Pseudomugil signifier does not appreciate intense lighting. To overcome this, put many floating plants that will attenuate and diffuse the light in a softer way.
For the rest of the decor, plant densely but leaving room for swimming (plant especially at the bottom and sides of your aquarium). Thin-leaved plants are particularly popular. Finish your decor with driftwood roots and/or rocks.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
It's one of the smallest species of rainbow fish!
In the wild, it can grow up to 7cm (2.8"). In reality, their size varies according to their geographical origin (fish living in the North are larger than those living in the South). In aquariums, even if this size is possible, it usually remains around 3/4cm (1.2/1.6"'").
As it is sensitive to changes in water parameters, acclimatise it slowly and gently.
Yours photos!
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