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Fish

Pacific Blue Eye

Pseudomugil signifer

Eastern AustraliaEasy

TL;DR, Pacific Blue Eye

Slim silver body with bright blue-glowing eyes and finnage edged in gold. Tolerates a wide range of hardness (some populations are brackish in the wild). Males fin-flick at each other in mock combat, all bluster, no harm.

Pacific Blue Eye (Pseudomugil signifer) reaches 3–5 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 60 L. Native to Eastern Australia, it lives in the top to mid water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 8–25 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 2–3 years with good care. Keep pacific blue eye in groups of 8+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: carnivore, Micro pellet, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, crushed flake at the surface. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes (with adults).

  • Min tank60 L
  • TemperamentPeaceful
  • Plant-safeYes
  • Shrimp-safeYes (with adults)

Care at a glance

Slim silver body with bright blue-glowing eyes and finnage edged in gold. Tolerates a wide range of hardness (some populations are brackish in the wild). Males fin-flick at each other in mock combat, all bluster, no harm.

By Updated 1 min read

Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.

Tank fit

The parameters that decide whether pacific blue eye fits in your tank.

Parameters

Temperature18–28 °C
15 °C20 °C25 °C30 °C
pH6.5–8.0
4.05.06.07.08.0
Hardness8–25 dGH
0 dGH5 dGH10 dGH15 dGH20 dGH25 dGH
Adult size3–5 cm
0481115
Water column

Top to mid

Schooling

Yes

Group of 8+

FlowLow to Medium
Still
Low
Medium
High
V. high

Profile

Family

Pseudomugilidae

Diet

Carnivore

Micro pellet, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, crushed flake at the surface.

Lifespan

2–3 yrs

Breeding

Medium

Habitat

Eastern Australia

Eastern Australia

Who it lives with

Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.

What is the minimum tank size for Pacific Blue Eye?

Pacific Blue Eye (Pseudomugil signifer) needs a minimum tank of 60 L. They live in the top to mid water column and should be kept in groups of 8+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.

What water parameters do Pacific Blue Eye need?

Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 8–25 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.

Are Pacific Blue Eye safe with shrimp?

Shrimp safety: Yes (with adults). Plant safety: Yes.

What do Pacific Blue Eye eat?

Pacific Blue Eye are carnivore. Micro pellet, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, crushed flake at the surface.

Are Pacific Blue Eye beginner-friendly?

On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: medium.

How long do Pacific Blue Eye live?

Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 2–3 years.

Sources & further reading

Cross-references

Build the rest of the tank.

A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.