{"product_id":"forktail-rainbowfish-pseudomugil-furcatus-freshwater","title":"Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eForktail Rainbowfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePseudomugil furcatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a blue-eye, one of the small cousins of the true rainbowfishes, and it is the flashiest of the group. Males carry bright lemon-yellow fins outlined in black, a deeply forked yellow tail that gives the fish its name, and the brilliant white-blue iris the family is named for. They spend the day out in the open flaring at each other rather than hiding, which makes a group of them one of the most active displays you can put in a small planted tank. Care level is intermediate, temperament is peaceful. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set them up properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorth knowing before you buy:\u003c\/strong\u003e blue-eyes are \u003cstrong\u003enaturally short-lived\u003c\/strong\u003e. Twelve to eighteen months is a normal captive lifespan for this species, and that is not a sign you did anything wrong. They also want \u003cstrong\u003ehard, alkaline, warm water\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is the opposite of what most small nano fish prefer.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 24 by 12 inch footprint, roughly 20 gallons, is the sensible minimum for a proper group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e eight to ten minimum. Below that they turn nervous and washed out, and you lose the constant male-to-male display that is the point of the species. Include several males.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 7.0 to 8.0 and \u003cstrong\u003ehard water\u003c\/strong\u003e, roughly 15 to 30 dGH. Most Georgia tap water is already right. If yours is soft, raise it with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e and confirm with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eGH test kit\u003c\/a\u003e. Do not treat these as blackwater fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature matters more than usual:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 82°F. This species comes from warm lowland streams and does poorly kept cool. A room-temperature tank is not enough.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOxygen and flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e they come from clear streams with moderate current, so give them decent circulation and good surface agitation. Stagnant, warm, low-oxygen water is a bad combination for them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e micropredator with a small mouth. Feed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003emicro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, crushed flake, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebaby brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003edaphnia\u003c\/a\u003e. Small frequent feedings suit them better than one large one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e planted edges with open water in the middle for displaying. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava moss\u003c\/a\u003e is worth adding, since it doubles as their spawning site.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e recommended. Like most surface-oriented stream fish they will jump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e females scatter a few large eggs at a time into moss or spawning mops over a period of days. Be aware that infertile eggs are common in this species even from healthy adults, so expect a low hatch rate rather than a failure on your part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePseudomugil furcatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eForktail Rainbowfish, Forktail Blue-eye, Yellow Finned Blue-eye\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePseudomugilidae, the blue-eyes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMusa and Kwagila river basins, eastern Papua New Guinea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 inches (5 to 6 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHard, around 15 to 30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMicropredator, small foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e12 to 18 months, naturally short-lived\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and easy to house, as long as the tankmates are small and not food thieves. The classic pairing is with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/peacock-gudgeon-tateurndina-ocellicauda-freshwater\"\u003ePeacock Gudgeon\u003c\/a\u003e, which wants nearly identical conditions and occupies the lower part of the tank while the blue-eyes work the top. Other good company includes \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/paskai-rainbowfish-pseudomugil-paskai-freshwater\"\u003ePaskai Rainbowfish\u003c\/a\u003e and other blue-eyes, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/threadfin-rainbowfish-iriatherina-werneri-freshwater\"\u003eThreadfin Rainbowfish\u003c\/a\u003e, small danios, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater\"\u003ePygmy Cories\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003edwarf shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid anything large or predatory, and skip fast greedy feeders that will strip the food before these get their share. They will also eat their own eggs and any very small fry, so shrimplets are unlikely to survive in the same tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, correctly sized for a small mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003eFreeze-Dried Daphnia\u003c\/a\u003e for colour and conditioning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e if your water is too soft for them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eFritz GH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to check where your hardness actually sits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and as a spawning site\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a real rainbowfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClose, but not quite. Blue-eyes sit in their own family, Pseudomugilidae, alongside the true rainbowfishes rather than inside them. In practice they are kept the same way, just at a much smaller size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell males from females?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMales are far more colourful, with bright yellow black-edged fins and extended fin rays. Females are plainer and shorter finned. The fish in the photo is a male.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMine only lived about a year. What did I do wrong?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProbably nothing. This species is naturally short-lived and twelve to eighteen months is a normal span even in excellent conditions. Keeping a group and letting them breed is the usual way keepers maintain them long term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep them with my soft water tetras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot ideally. These want hard alkaline water and warmth, so they suit a hard-water community far better. Pair them with other blue-eyes, rainbows, and a Peacock Gudgeon instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48891044561115,"sku":"430052","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_380c510b-5c39-4f71-a31f-355eb13b5f3f.png?v=1781874374","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/forktail-rainbowfish-pseudomugil-furcatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}