Delicate Blue Eyes

Delicate Blue-Eye (Pseudomugil tenellus)

The Delicate Blue-Eye is a small, elegant rainbowfish native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Males display iridescent blue eyes and translucent fins that shimmer with pale yellow and silver hues, making them a graceful addition to peaceful community or biotope aquariums. Their active schooling nature and subtle beauty are best appreciated in well-planted tanks with gentle flow.

Care Summary:

• Temperature: 23–28 °C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (5–15 dGH)

• Tank Size: 40 L + for a small group

• Temperament: Peaceful, shy; ideal for calm community tanks

• Schooling: Keep in groups of 6 + (1 m:2 f ratio recommended)

• Diet: Omnivorous – micro-pellets, flakes, live/frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp, micro-worms)

• Tank Setup: Densely planted, gentle filtration, subdued lighting, floating plants for cover

• Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish (e.g. other blue-eyes, small rasboras, shrimp)

• Breeding: Egg-scatterer; uses fine plants or spawning mops; adults may eat eggs

• Lifespan: 2–3 years