SPOTTED BLUE EYE RAINBOWFISH

The Gertrude’s Spotted Blue Eye Rainbowfish, (Pseudomugil gertrudae) is one of the lesser widespread variants of the Blue Eye Rainbowfish and is native to Indonesia, New Guiniea, and Australia.  It lives in very large schools in areas with dense vegetation, so it is an ideal candidate for the planted aquarium and especially enjoys the cover of floating plants.  Males display iridescent yellow and blue coloration on their bodies and fins, particularly while competing with other males. The second dorsal and anal fins of males  become very extended and fan-like with maturity.  Females are typically smaller and often possess an attractive orange-yellow hue. 

The Gertrude’s Spotted Blue Eye Rainbowfish is peaceful with other fish species of similar size and can even be kept with adult dwarf shrimp.  The most intense color will be displayed when this fish is 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.