Family: Pseudomugilidae
Distribution: The Forktail Rainbowfish is found in the heavily vegetated, fast flowing jungle streams of Papua New Guinea and Indo-Pacific regions.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75 – 82F)
Hardness: 15 – 30dH.
Description: A truly vibrant Rainbowfish, the Forktail or Blue Eye is a sight to behold. With black and bright yellow tipped fins and tail, silvery-grey bodies and glowing red markings, the Pseudomugil furcatus grows to a meagre 6.5cm (2.6 inches), and lives up to 3 years. The males usually have a longer dorsal fin and are more brightly coloured than females.
Diet: Forktail Rainbowfish can be fed on a staple diet of dried food and supplemented with small live or frozen food.
Breeding: Pseudomugil furcatus is easy to breed. The Forktail Rainbowfish only lays a few large eggs at a time, only 5-10 eggs a day and they will be laid on busy plants such as java moss.
The eggs will hatch within 14 days and should be removed to a shallow container to avoid predation. Feed the tiny fry on baby brine shrimp or dust food and keep them separate until they are ready to rejoin the community tank.
Comments: Mimic the colourful Forktail Rainbowfish’s natural environment by providing dense aquatic vegetation and regular fresh water changes. The males grow very rapidly and can often appear aggressive to females, so provide hiding places throughout the tank. A sandy substrate and low lighting will help bring out their beautiful colours. Overall a peaceful, sociable fish, they are suitable for either a Rainbowfish aquarium or a community tank.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species:
Rainbowfish are a great community species in terms of their temperament and apart from other Rainbowfish species they also live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platy and most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. One thing you should take into consideration when housing rainbows with these recommended species is the water quality. Temperature and Hardness are similar but P.H. can be quite different, although it is not ideal, if you keep your water at a P.H. of 7 this should keep your community happy.
Rainbowfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups consisting of at least six individuals, preferably no less than 10-15. Mix it up with enough females to give them a rest when the males are on the chase, but provide enough males to bring out their vibrant colours when they are in competition for female attention. Whilst this is beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the fish, a large school is rewarding for the aquarist because a school of iridescent Rainbowfish is more dramatic to the eye than a few shy fish peeking out from behind dense vegetation.
