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| Pseudomugil furcatus - photo© Günther Schmida |
Nichols, 1955
Forktail Blue-eye
Description
The body colour is yellow-green in both males and females. Dorsal and anal fins in male transparent, with narrow yellow margin. Pelvic and pectoral fins often tinged with red. Caudal fin lobes yellowish with black dorsal and ventral margins. Females caudal fin lobes yellowish, pectoral and pelvic fins transparent. Outer part of second dorsal fin yellowish.
This species was originally named Pseudomugil furcatus in 1955. However, in a review of the family Melanotaeniidae in 1980, they were separated from the Pseudomugil genus and placed in a new genus Popondetta, and were named Popondetta furcata. It was then later discovered that the genus name Popondetta was previously used and in 1987 they underwent another name change and were called Popondichthys furcatus. Two years were to pass and following a review of the Pseudomugil genus in 1989, the Blue-eye group, including Pseudomugil furcatus, were placed in their own family Pseudomugilidae and they were returned to their original name Pseudomugil furcatus.
Distribution
Papua New Guinea between Dyke Ackland and Collingwood bays. They were collected for the first time in 1953 from a small stream near Pumani Village situated in the eastern lowlands of Papua New Guinea. They have also been collected from Safia, in the Musa River valley where they are relatively common in small, clear rainforest streams.
Habitat & Ecology
They are generally found in small, clear, relatively swift-flowing freshwater streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. Temperature and pH in these streams range from 24-27° Celsius and 7.0-8.0. Body moderately compressed and elongated, growing to a length of around 5 to 6 cm. Two dorsal fins, separated by a small gap, the first much smaller than the second. Males are easily distinguished from females by their brighter colours and longer and more elongated dorsal fin. An egg-scatterer, generally spawning amongst aquatic plants and grasses. Eggs adhere to water plants and hatching occurs around 12-15 days at a temperature of 25° Celsius. In captivity, Pseudomugil furcatus will regularly spawn in the gravel substrate.
Remarks
In 1981 live specimens were brought to Australia whereupon they were later bred and established in the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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