Spotted Blue Eye Pseudomugil Singapore Care Guide

Tiny, kinetic and dressed in flecks of cobalt iridescence, the spotted blue-eye looks like a piece of jewellery animated by sunlight. The spotted blue eye singapore trade brings in Pseudomugil gertrudae from Indonesian and Australian suppliers, and although not strictly a Singapore mainland native, the species fits neatly into a regional South-East Asian biotope and behaves beautifully in nano-planted tanks. This guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers care, sourcing and breeding for one of the most charming nano fish in the trade.

Origin and Distribution

Native to northern Australia, the Aru Islands and parts of New Guinea, Pseudomugil gertrudae inhabits clear, slow-moving forest pools with overhanging vegetation. Its distribution overlaps the western Pacific archipelago that historically supplied much of Singapore’s wild fish trade. Singapore stock arrives via Indonesian wholesalers and occasionally direct from Australian breeders.

Identifying the Species

Adult males reach 3-3.5cm with extended dorsal and anal fin rays carrying yellow tips and black spots. The body is translucent silver dusted with iridescent blue scales, and the eye carries the distinctive electric blue ring that names the genus. Females are smaller and plainer. Do not confuse with Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis (the kasi blue-eye) which has a bolder dorsal stripe.

Tank Size and Schooling

A group of six is the bare minimum; ten or twelve is far better. Despite the small size, this is a kinetic fish that wants horizontal swimming room. A 30-litre cube works for a small group, but a 60-litre planted tank brings out the constant low-level male display. Add a few floating plants and the males will posture continuously in the dappled light.

Water Parameters

Soft to medium-soft water suits the species best. Target pH 5.5-7.5, GH 3-10, KH 1-5, temperature 24-28°C. Singapore PUB tap is on the soft side and works well after chloramine neutralisation. Pseudomugil are more pH-tolerant than many wild fish but reward stable parameters with stronger colour. Avoid sudden changes — drip-acclimate over an hour.

Aquascape and Cover

Mimic the clear forest pools they come from. Fine pale sand, scattered twigs, a few smooth stones, and densely planted background with Hygrophila pinnatifida, Bucephalandra, and Cryptocoryne. Floating cover is essential — Salvinia or red root floaters break the surface light and trigger male display behaviour. Hardscape options from the decoration and substrate range set the right mood.

Tank Mates

Choose only the most peaceful nano companions. Pygmy corydoras, Boraras brigittae, and chili rasbora make perfect companions. Avoid anything fast or aggressive — even normally calm dwarf rasboras can bully Pseudomugil at feeding time. Cherry shrimp coexist safely with adults but adult fish will eat shrimplets, so do not expect a thriving shrimp colony alongside.

Feeding

Tiny mouths demand tiny food. Crushed micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, microworm, and frozen cyclops are the staples. Live foods bring out the most intense blue iridescence. Stock the foods range with at least one frozen option. Feed three small meals daily — Pseudomugil have fast metabolisms and lose condition quickly on once-a-day feeding.

Breeding Behaviour

Pseudomugil are continuous spawners that scatter eggs into mossy plants daily. Raise temperature to 28°C, feed heavily on live food, and provide spawning mops or fine-leaved java moss. Eggs are tiny and adhesive, hatching in 10-14 days. Fry are minute and need infusoria for the first week before graduating to microworm. Set up a dedicated 10-litre fry tank if you want decent yields.

Singapore Sourcing

Spotted blue-eyes appear regularly at C328 in Clementi, Polyart in Geylang, and occasionally at Iwarna farmway. Pricing runs SGD 4-8 per fish for standard stock, SGD 10-15 for premium-coloured males. Carousell breeders sometimes offer captive-bred groups at SGD 30-50 for ten. Always buy in single-sex groups or sex-balanced groups of six-plus to spread male attention and reduce harassment.

Related Reading

• Native Singapore Freshwater Species Overview Guide
• Harlequin Rasbora Singapore Wild Strain Care Guide
• Cherry Barb Singapore Native Strain Care Guide
• Kasi Blue Eye Pseudomugil Cyanodorsalis Care Guide
• Wild Caught Fish Acclimation Protocol Singapore Guide