Why are my Forktail Blue-Eyes constantly chasing each other?

This is completely normal behaviour. The males constantly engage in mock sparring to establish a pecking order and display their vibrant fins to impress females. As long as the tank is spacious enough, this rarely results in any real injury.

How many Forktail Blue-Eyes should I keep together?

You should keep a minimum of 8 to 10 individuals. A larger shoal spreads out any mild aggression among the males and makes the fish feel secure enough to display their best colours. Ideally, keep more females than males.

Can Forktail Blue-Eyes live with cherry shrimp?

Adult cherry shrimp are generally safe from Forktail Blue-Eyes, as the fish have very small mouths. However, any newly hatched, tiny shrimplets that venture into the open water will likely be seen as a natural food source and eaten.

Do they need hard water to survive?

Yes, unlike many tropical fish from rainforest regions, Forktail Blue-Eyes naturally occur in slightly alkaline, moderate to hard water. Keeping them in very soft, acidic water can lead to chronic health issues and a shortened lifespan.

Why are my Forktail Blue-Eyes staying near the bottom and hiding?

Forktail Blue-Eyes are naturally active mid-to-top dwellers. If they are hiding or resting near the bottom, it is usually a sign of stress. This could be due to poor water quality, incorrect parameters, bullying from tank mates, or a lack of security from insufficient planting.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

The Forktail Blue-Eye is a vibrant, active, and peaceful schooling fish native to Papua New Guinea, prized for its striking yellow finnage and bright blue eyes.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 7 – 8
Hardness: 10 – 20 dGH
Adult size: 4 – 6 cm
60cm minimum tank length: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
Diet: Omnivore/Micropredator
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Densely planted perimeter with a spacious open swimming area in the centre.

About the Forktail Blue-Eye

A brilliant addition to a planted community aquarium, Pseudomugil furcatus brings constant motion and vivid colour. Males feature spectacular yellow-edged fins that trail elegantly as they swim, contrasting beautifully with their bright blue eyes. Though relatively short-lived compared to larger rainbowfish, they are highly rewarding to keep and provide a dynamic focal point in the aquarium.

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Where Forktail Blue-Eye comes from

Native range

Oceania, Papua New Guinea

Countries / regions

Papua New Guinea

Habitat

Clear, moderately flowing rainforest streams with dense aquatic vegetation and slightly alkaline water.

Primarily restricted to the lowlands between Dyke Ackland and Collingwood Bays.

Similar species

Gertrude's Blue-Eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Pacific Blue-Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
Red Neon Blue-Eye
Pseudomugil luminatus
Threadfin Rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Too large to be eaten by the blue-eyes, and safely grazes on algae without interfering in the mid-water.
Great
Corydoras
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom dwellers that occupy a completely different swimming zone, making them perfect companions.
Great
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Peaceful, relatively small, and enjoys similar planted environments; generally unbothered by the blue-eyes' activity.
Great
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
The hyperactive nature and bright finnage of male blue-eyes may stress a Betta, or trigger an aggressive response.
Compatible with caution
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Notorious fin-nippers that will easily ruin the delicate, trailing fins of male Forktail Blue-Eyes.
Not recommended
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Adult angelfish grow large enough to view small, slender blue-eyes as a potential food source.
Not recommended

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