Animal Species:Pacific Blue Eye, Pseudomugil signifer Kner, 1865
The Pacific Blue Eye is an Australian native fish that, as its common name suggests, has blue eyes.
Pacific Blue Eye, Pseudomugil signifer
Andrew Lo
© Andrew Lo
Alternative Name/s
Blue-eye, Northern Blue-eye, Southern Blue-eye
Identification
The Pacific Blue Eye has a semi-transparent body that can vary in colour from pale olive, yellow to bluish. As the common name suggests, the iris of the Pacific Blue Eye is blue. The operculum and belly region are silvery. There is often a series of pearly spots along the side of the body.
The fins of males and females are different shapes. The dorsal, anal and pelvic fins of males are extended into filaments. The fins can also differ in colouration, particularly during breeding when the fins of the male can become brilliantly coloured.
Size range
Males grow to 88 mm in length and females grow to 63 mm.
Distribution
It is an Australian native species that occurs in coastal streams along the eastern coast of Australia from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Pacific Blue Eye specimens in the Australian Museums.
Habitat
The Pacific Blue Eye lives in clear, fast flowing streams and also in mangrove regions of estuaries.
Habitat type
Freshwater Habitat: freshwater
Feeding and Diet
The species feeds on mosquito larvae and other insects.
Life cycle
Females lay one or two eggs at each spawning with up to nine spawnings a day over the spawning period, which may last over a week. The 1.8 mm diameter eggs attach to vegetation by adhesive filaments. At 220C to 240C the eggs take 18 to 21 days to develop. Well developed young hatch and can feed immediately. In an aquarium, the newly hatched young can reach maturity in six months.
Mating and reproduction
At courtship a male will dart backwards and forwards in front of the female, while fluttering the pectoral fins and holding the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins erect. At spawning, the two fish swim into vegetation and their bodies shake violently.
Classification
- Species:
- signifer
- Genus:
- Pseudomugil
- Family:
- Pseudomugilidae
- Order:
- Atheriniformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
References
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Ivantsoff, W & L.E.L.M. Crowley in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
- Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Pacific Blue Eye, Pseudomugil signifer, Pseudomugilidae, Australian native, blue eyes, Blue-eye, Northern Blue-eye, Southern Blue-eye, semi-transparent, pale olive, yellow, blue, silvery belly, 30 cm - 1 m, coastal streams, fast-flowing streams, mangrove, freshwater,
Hi Paris, Thank you for your comment. I have added some extra information to the page that may be of interest to you. It sounds to me as though you are doing everying right. I can't add much except perhaps refer you to a site that contains additional information on breeding of Pacific Blue-eyes. You may wish to look at the Aquatic Community page for the species at www.aquaticcommunity.com/blue-eye/pacific.php. Please let me know how things progress. You may wish to write another comment about your progress. Best of luck!