Forktail Rainbowfish

Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil Furcatus)

The Forktail Rainbowfish, also known as Forktail Blue-eye, is a small, colorful, and active fish native to Papua New Guinea and Australia. Its striking appearance features a predominantly silvery-blue body, with a bright yellow stripe running from the snout to the base of the forked tail, giving the fish its name.

Forktail Rainbowfish fish typically grow to around 2-2.4 inches in length and are best kept in schools of at least 6-8 individuals to encourage natural behavior and reduce stress. Forktail Rainbowfish are peaceful, making them great additions to community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish. They are compatible with other rainbowfish species, small tetras, danios, and peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras catfish.

These omnivorous fish will thrive on a varied diet consisting of high-quality flake food, micro-pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feeding them a diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health.

Rainbowfish are active swimmers and require an aquarium with plenty of room to move about and abundant plant life to give them a sense of security. Their natural habitat features various leggy plants like Dwarf Sagittaria, Vallisneria, and Anubias, which are easy for the fish to navigate through. When arranging the plants, ensure to leave unobstructed open swimming areas. A substrate consisting of rocks or sand with driftwood can help recreate their native environment, but the tank floor is of lesser importance, as they usually swim in the middle levels. The addition of floating plants to diffuse the light entering the tank also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

Maintaining a clean and well-oxygenated tank is crucial for Forktail Rainbowfish, as their water should be free from nitrates and ammonia. They prefer moderate water currents and appreciate a substantial water flow, making a power filter an excellent choice for their aquarium.

A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended, with 30 gallons or larger in community aquariums. The ideal water parameters for these fish include a pH of 7.0-8.0, a hardness of 5-12 dGH, and a temperature range of 72-79°F (22-26°C).

Do not add this fish to a biologically immature aquarium, as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.