Order Atheriniformes ( Atheriniformes )
Family Pseudomugilidae ( Pseudomugilidae )
Genus Pseudomugil — Pseudomugil.
To be continued…
— Pseudomugil pellucidus — Pseudomugil pellucidus [Allen, Ivantsoff, Shepherd & Renyaan, 1998]. Western New Guinea, Iwaka, Kopi, Aikwa rivers. 3.5 cm. Iris glowing orange. Head silver-reddish with a silver operculum and reddish belly. Other parts of the body are relatively transparent. The swim bladder area is transparent, with reddish eggs visible in females. The upper part of the lateral line is neon red, the lower part is deep black. The black line extends onto the tail and the middle of the caudal fin. Scales above and below the edge of the stripe have a black border. Some have a small white spot on the upper part of the head.
The first dorsal fin is matte black with a slight orange tint on the first rays. The second dorsal fin is dark with bright orange trim, hard rays are black, forming black stripes. Thin black and orange stripes run the entire length of the anal fin. The upper lobe of the caudal fin has an orange tint. In specimens collected from Kali Meyon, males have dotted red lines and a black dorsal fin. The anal fin has a lot of yellow. They swim close to the water surface. pH 6.7-7.8; T 24-28°C.
— Pseudomugil reticulatus — Pseudomugil reticulatus [Allen & Ivantshoff, 1986]. (Eng. Vogelkop Blue Eye). Indonesia. 3-4 cm. Eyes are dark blue. They have a bluish-green translucent body, silver belly, and slightly reddish head. The edges of some scales on the belly are black. The scales have thin black borders that form a net pattern on the back and sides. The upper half of the first dorsal fin, the rear half of the second dorsal fin, and the edges of the anal fin are brick-red. The body near the second dorsal and anal fins is red. The upper and lower thirds of the caudal fin are also red. Pelvic fins are pink. Females are similar in color to males.
— Pacific blue-eye — Pseudomugil signifer [Kner, 1866]. Synonym: Atherina signata, Atherinosoma jamesonii, Pseudomugil signata, signatus. (Eng. Pacific Blue Eye). Widely distributed in Australia, Low Island, Bremer River, Mission. 4-6 cm. Body is slender, elongated, slightly compressed laterally. The main decoration is the glowing eyes: bright blue in males, slightly paler in females. The coloration of this fish is modest but very pleasant: semi-transparent body of yellowish or olive-greenish color, scales of the lower part with black dots sparkling with blue glints.
A series of glowing vertical dashes runs along the body, merging into a blue stripe on the caudal peduncle. An indistinct dark stripe extends from the pectoral fins to the base of the tail, bordered above by a shimmering line. The belly is silvery-white. Scales are relatively large, each with a dark border, creating an overall reticulated background on the body. The outer rays of the caudal fin and the tips of other fins are milky-white or bluish.
The male is distinguished by the coloration and shape of the dorsal and anal fins. The male has large orange-yellow dorsal fins, with outer rays dark, almost black. The first dorsal fin is glass-clear, with the first ray black in males. Pectoral fins are arched, their first rays also black. The caudal, anal, and second dorsal fins are colored in bright orange-yellow with a black margin. The caudal fin has fork-like contours characteristic of the entire genus Pseudomugil. Females have significantly paler fins of yellowish tones. Males are larger than females, and their coloration is more contrasting.
There are populations in which the unpaired fins are lemon-yellow with coal-black borders, and the throat is orange. The anterior rays of the pectoral fins are coal-black. In another population, the males have almost no yellow: their body and fins are grayish-steel colored with a pleasant sheen. However, their unpaired fins are so large that the length of the first dorsal fin reaches three-quarters of the body length. Fin coloration and sex differentiation features can be noticed in fry at 3 months of age. Northern populations are larger than eastern ones, require more space, and males are aggressive and may kill during spawning.
They are very agile, peaceful, constantly swim in schools; keep in groups of 8 or more, with the number of females exceeding males. These fish are active swimmers and constantly on the move in the middle and upper layers of the water. With good lighting against a dark substrate and lush green aquatic plants, a school of 10-20 blue-eyes looks extremely effective, and keeping other fish species alongside them would be redundant, although blue-eyes are completely harmless and easily get along with any peaceful fish. In the presence of rivals, adult males spend all their time in mutual displays during which their fins and gill covers are fully spread, and all blue spots shine brightly.
Suitable neighbors for them are Telmatherina species, which have roughly similar care requirements. The aquarium should be quite spacious, low, heavily elongated, and moderately planted with vegetation. Several areas of dense thickets and open swimming space are needed. Due to their agility, fish can easily jump out of the aquarium, so it must be tightly covered with a lid. Lighting should be bright. Aeration, filtration, and weekly water changes are necessary; a neutral or slightly alkaline water reaction is preferred. Sensitive to poor water conditions, they love clean, oxygen-rich water.
Very undemanding in care, so they can be safely recommended to beginner aquarists. For the fish’s well-being, it is advisable to add table salt to the water at a rate of 2 grams per liter. Omnivorous, readily eating any live and dry food of suitable size. Monotonous feeding, such as feeding only bloodworms, is unacceptable as it can lead to serious diseases in a short time. They take food from the water surface and slowly sinking to the bottom. Fish take food from the bottom very reluctantly.
They mature at 8-10 months. For spawning, place a group of breeders at a ratio of 2 females to 1 male. Spawning is fractional, prolonged: they deposit eggs in small portions almost daily. Eggs are attached to fine-leaved plants. Lifespan is 2.5-3 years. T 23-26°C; dH 10-15°C; pH 6.5-7.5.
Identification: Pacific blue-eye — Pseudomugil signifer.
Pseudomugil paludicola, Pseudomugil tenellus.
Pseudomugil inconspicuus, Pseudomugil mellis. 
