Description

The Pacific Blue Eye Signifer Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil signifer) is the most widespread and variable of the blue eye rainbowfish that inhabit the freshwater and brackish rivers and estuaries of coastal Western Australia. It lives in very large schools in areas with dense vegetation, so it is an ideal candidate for the planted aquarium. While some populations of this fish inhabit brackish or even fully marine water, it is not necessary to provide brackish water in the aquarium. Males display brilliant yellow to orange coloration on their bodies and fins, particularly while competing/posturing with other males. Females also possess this attractive coloration, but to a lesser extent. Both males and females feature stunningly bright blue eyes that contrasts beautifully with their yellow to orange bodies.

The Pacific Blue Eye Signifer Rainbowfish is generally peaceful with other fish species of similar size, but smaller shrimp fry may fall prey. The most intense color will be displayed when this fish kept in schools of 6 or more, including multiple males, in a heavily planted, spacious aquarium to ensure that subdominant males are not overly harassed by dominant males. As with many rainbowfish, darker substrate will also often result in better coloration.