Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Pacific Blue-eye
Pseudomugil signifer Kner, 1866
Also called Southern blue-eye, Northern blue-eye
From Eastern Australia, from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland south to southern New South Wales, plus Torres Strait and nearby Queensland islands; mostly within about 15-20 km of the coast.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Usually 3-3.5 cm; FishBase and Seriously Fish give 7 cm SL maximum, Wikipedia gives males up to 8.8 cm
About 1-2 years in the wild and 2-3 years in aquaria; some males reach 4
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, slender, partly transparent blue-eye
A slim, partly see-through fish, pale yellow or olive with a silvery gill cover and belly. Its large eyes have a bright blue iris. Males have longer fins, sometimes with fine trailing filaments and orange tones in breeding season.21
Personality what they are like
Generally peaceful and sociable; mature males from northern populations can be pushy with each other when spawning.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An active surface-feeding shoaler; in the wild it gathers in loose schools from tens to thousands of fish.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs a mature, stable tank; no added salt is required for freshwater keeping.1
Home where they are happiest
Minimum tank base about 60 x 30 cm (around 54 litres). Temperature 20-26 °C (FishBase 23-28 °C), pH 6.5-7.5, hardness 5-15 dGH. It can live in fresh, brackish or even marine water.13
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Feeds mainly near the surface on aquatic and flying insects, with some tiny crustaceans and algae. Offer small live foods plus crushed dry food.21
Company who they like around
Keep at least 8-10, ideally more.1
The story where it all began
Rudolf Kner described it in 1866. It varies a lot across its long coastal range and many regional forms were once named, but they were merged into one species in 1979; newer genetic work hints that northern and southern fish may be separate species.213
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed February 2019)3
- Taxonomy
- Family Pseudomugilidae; described by Kner in 18663
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pacific Blue-eye. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Pacific Blue-eye?
Feed small amounts once or twice daily. Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed every day.12 Furry Diary plan
What does a Pacific Blue-eye eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats small live foods like insects and crustaceans, plus crushed dry food. Never feed anything that could harm it, but specific forbidden foods vary; ask a vet or good breeder.12
How much space does a Pacific Blue-eye need?
A minimum tank base of about 60 x 30 cm (around 54 litres) is recommended. This gives them room to swim and shoal.13
What temperature, light or water does a Pacific Blue-eye need?
Keep water temperature between 20-26°C, pH 6.5-7.5, and hardness 5-15 dGH. It can live in fresh, brackish, or marine water, but no added salt is needed for freshwater.13
How often should I clean a Pacific Blue-eye's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 25% water change weekly, along with weekly glass cleaning and water testing. Rinse the filter monthly in old tank water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Pacific Blue-eye live with others?
Yes, it is generally peaceful and sociable. Keep at least 8-10, ideally more, as it is an active surface-feeding shoaler.12
How long does a Pacific Blue-eye live?
They typically live between 1 and 4 years. Providing a stable, mature tank helps them thrive.2
Can I handle a Pacific Blue-eye?
Handling is not recommended as it can stress the fish. It's best to observe them in their tank.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Pseudomugil signifer (Pacific Blue-eye) seriouslyfish.comused for distribution, habitat, tank size, water parameters, salinity tolerance, diet, behaviour, group size, history
- Wikipedia: Pacific blue-eye en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, description, size, lifespan, diet, schooling, salinity adaptation, breeding
- FishBase: Pseudomugil signifer, Pacific blue eye fishbase.seused for max length, water ranges, IUCN status, geographic varieties
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.