Forktail Blue Eye (Pseudomugil furcatus), dwarf blue eye (Pseudomugil tenellus), Spotted Blue Eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae), Ivantsoff's blue eyes (Pseudomugil iantsoffi), Paska's blue eyes (Pseudomugil paskai “Red”) red neon (Pseudomugil sp Red Neon), Butterfly Rainbow Fish (Pseudomugil signifer) and more species belong to the family of silversides and some species are also kept in aquariums as ornamental freshwater fish. Everything you need to know about the ornamental fish, the blue-eyed, is presented here. Illuminated thereby: Origin, appearance, attitude, water conditions, breeding and much more There are 18 species, divided into three genera.
Distribution and origin of blue eyes
The profile, which begins with the origin of the blue eyes. The Latin term for the blue eyes is: Pseudomugilidae. The approx. 5 cm large blue-eyed (fresh or brackish water fish) are found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, West New Guinea (Islands of New Guinea) and on the Aru Islands. Some species can even reach a length of about 8 cm. Tea-colored or clear waters are the blue-eyed's natural habitat. The habitat of a few species are brackish mangrove forests. Some species of blue-eyed fish can also be bred in the aquarium.
Blue Eyes - Appearance and Breeding Forms
The blue-eyed fish is a very interesting ornamental fish for the aquarium. Its physique is very narrow and dented on both sides. They have a large second dorsal and anal fin. The blue-eyed males can point their dorsal fin far up. Some of the pectoral fins are set very high and their tips smell out over the body. The fins are often colored, but the body tends to be transparent or only slightly colored. The eyes of the fish are mostly in a strong blue and relatively large. In some species of blue-eyed males reach a size of about 8 cm. There should always be more females than males in the aquarium.
The females of the blue eyes are rather inconspicuous and remain smaller. Many aquarists breed the blue eyes. Including the fork tail blue eyes. They are not so shy and therefore easy to observe when growing up. The butterfly blue eye should be considered Schooling fish (from 10 animals) being held. In the aquarium, he should be kept in the harem. Why should the butterfly blue eye be kept in the harem? Because otherwise it can happen that the males bite off their fins. This small schooling fish (butterfly blue-eye) should also be kept for itself.
Blue-eyed lifestyle and eating habits
In the wild, their diet consists of mosquito larvae and insects that live on the surface of the water. When keeping in the aquarium should also be here live food or frozen food be used. It is important that the food is small or fine, as the fish are small. For young animals, you should use liquid food or powdered food or infusoria, microworms and Artemia nauplii. These are very popular with young fish. If the feeding of the young fish is too one-sided, it can lead to damage, such as the gill cover shortening. There is a wide range of fish food. Frozen food, live food (water fleas, mosquito larvae, fruit flies, etc.) or occasionally dry food. The diet of an adult blue-eyed ornamental fish includes: fruit flies, Artemia (crustaceans), water fleas, mosquito larvae and Cyclops (hopper lice genus of oar crustaceans).
Keeping blue eyes and water conditions
Since the blue-eyed fish are schooling fish, they should also be kept in schools, at least 10 animals. The tank size should be a medium-sized aquarium, because the blue-eyed fish need space to swim. An aquarium should therefore have a size of at least 60 liters and more. An aquarium with a size of 200 liters is particularly suitable. With some species it should be noted that they are perhaps better kept alone, such as the blue-eyed butterfly. The fish usually stay in the upper and middle area of the tank.
Clean and oxygen-rich water in the aquarium is important. The water temperature should be between 23 and 28 °C. The pH value should be around 7,0 to 8,0 and the total hardness of the water should be 5 to 15 °dGH. It is also important to pay attention to whether the species of blue-eyed ornamental fish get along with other species of fish. Good hygiene in the tank should also be ensured in order to keep the number of germs in the tank as low as possible. There should be a regular partial water change. The sludge that sinks to the ground should also be removed regularly.
Almost all blue-eyed fish can live with other species community pool being held. However, it is important to pay attention to the water temperature, the size of the aquarium and the water parameters. The blue-eyed fish should be kept in the community tank, especially with peaceful fish species. Stress can make the blue-eyed fish sick. Rainbow fish or collectors are particularly suitable for community tanks. Rainbow fish are closely related to the blue-eyed fish. However, blue-eyed fish unfold their charm best in a pure species tank.
planting and breeding
There should be plenty of plants in the aquarium, because almost all blue-eyed species like lush plants. Some species are very shy and therefore have a good opportunity to hide in the thicket of plants. Also are Blue eyes ornamental fish continuous spawner. The blue-eyed females lay eggs about 2 millimeters in size every day. After two to three weeks, the young blue-eyed fish hatch from the larvae. The eggs have adhesive threads. With these adhesive threads, the eggs cling to the plants or substrate, so good planting is also important.
The following plants are suitable for blue-eyed fish: Anubias (spear leaf), Crinum calamistratum (perm lily), Cryptocoryne (water cup), Echinodorus (sword plant) and Vesicularia (various types of moss).
Short Summary what at the Keeping and breeding of blue eyes ornamental fish should be noted:
- The pH should be around 7,0 to 8,0.
- The water temperature should be between 23 and 28 °C.
- The size of the aquarium should be at least 60 liters, but a 200 liter aquarium is better.
- Some species are better kept to themselves.
- They are schooling fish (keep at least 10 animals).
- Feeding live food (Artemia, mosquito larvae) or possibly dry food.
- The fish stay in the upper or middle area of the tank.
- There are free spawners and long-term spawners, breeding can take place in the aquarium.
- Possible to keep in the community tank with other peaceful species.
There are still many accessories and plants to be discovered in a number of different online shops or specialty stores for blue-eyed fish.