Spotted Blue Eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae)
| Spotted Blue Eye Pseudomugil gertrudae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Spotted Blue Eye |
| Name Lat. | Pseudomugil gertrudae |
| Family | Blue Eyes |
| Family lat. | Pseudomugilidae |
| Order | Silversides |
| Order lat. | Atheriniformes |
| Origin | Australia, New Guinea |
| Habitat | Forest streams, swamps |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 4.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Swarm |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 3.5 cm |
| Temperature | 21-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 60 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.4" |
| Temperature | 70-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Gertrud's rainbowfish are common in northern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Aru Islands. There they live in shallow, slow-flowing and stagnant waters, such as shaded streams, oxbow lakes, lakes and swamps with muddy bottoms and dense vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense, varied planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots), and provide adequate swimming space. A dark substrate of sand or fine gravel covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and some alder cones, shaded light with floating plants (e.g. Rizzia) and a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of small live food, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form, such as Artemia, Moina, Daphnia and mosquito larvae or a commercially available frozen nano food mix. In addition, they need regular vegetable food in the form of granulated or flake food for nano fish with spirulina or kelp
It is recommended to feed small portions twice a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively, swimming swarm fish and at least 5, but preferably much more should be kept together, whereby the number of females should predominate. In the shoal the males show their most beautiful coloration. These very peaceful fish can be socialized well with other calm and small fish (nano fish) as well as shrimps
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is larger, more colorful, and has extended dorsal and anal fins.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners, which during the reproductive period daily in the morning (morning sun) deposit their eggs, which are provided with adhesive filaments, on fine-leaved plants. The fry hatch after 10-15 days. The parents are spawn predators.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii, infusoria). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
In its large range, there are some differently colored site variants.
They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered. Adding some sea salt to the aquarium water can contribute to their well-being. The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) as well as the alder cones enrich the water with humic substances, lower the pH in a natural way and promote the development of microorganisms when rotting, which are a valuable secondary food source
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF