Spotted Blue-eye – Pseudomugil gertrudae – 2 to 3 cm

Pseudomugil gertrudae – Spotted Blue-eye

The Spotted Blue-eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae) is a small freshwater fish highly appreciated in the aquarium hobby for its delicate appearance and beautifully patterned fins with distinctive dark spots.

Males are particularly striking: their fins become more developed as they mature and are widely spread during their impressive display behaviour.

The specimens offered here are approximately 2 to 3 cm.

Adult Size

Pseudomugil gertrudae remains a small fish, generally reaching approximately 3 to 4 cm as an adult.

Males are generally more colourful and develop more elaborate fins than females.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 22 to 28 °C
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Nitrite: 0 mg/L

Nitrite should remain undetectable. This small species appreciates clean, stable water and should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium.

What Size Aquarium for Pseudomugil gertrudae?

An aquarium approximately 60 cm long provides a suitable basis for keeping a group.

Plenty of vegetation is particularly beneficial. Fine-leaved and floating plants provide sheltered areas while leaving enough open space for swimming and display behaviour.

Behaviour and Group Keeping

Pseudomugil gertrudae is a peaceful and social species. It is preferable to keep a group of at least 8 to 10 individuals, or more when aquarium size allows.

Group keeping encourages more natural behaviour. Males regularly perform attractive displays, spreading their distinctive fins in front of other fish.

Tank mates should be peaceful and appropriately sized so that these small fish are not outcompeted at feeding time.

Feeding

In the wild, Pseudomugil gertrudae feeds on small invertebrates, zooplankton and other tiny organisms.

In the aquarium, it accepts small foods suitable for its small mouth, including micro-pellets, finely crushed dry food and small frozen or live foods such as Artemia nauplii and Daphnia.

A varied diet helps maintain good condition and attractive colouration.

Breeding

Pseudomugil gertrudae is an egg-laying species.

Females regularly deposit small numbers of adhesive eggs amongst fine vegetation or on spawning mops. The adults provide no parental care and may eat both eggs and fry.

Origin

Pseudomugil gertrudae naturally occurs in parts of northern Australia, southern New Guinea and the Aru Islands.

It inhabits a variety of freshwater environments, including streams, swamps, lagoons and slow-moving waters rich in vegetation.

Lifespan

Pseudomugil species are relatively short-lived fish. Their lifespan in the aquarium depends greatly on water quality and overall husbandry conditions.

Conservation Status

Pseudomugil gertrudae is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

Never Release Aquarium Fish into the Wild

Pseudomugil gertrudae must never be released into a river, pond, lake or any other natural environment.