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Pacific blue eye
NATIVE AUSTRALIAN FISH
*FROG FRIENDLY*
Other names: southern blue eye
Minimum volume requirement: 50L for a small group (3 – 4)
Size: 4mm – 6mm
pH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 18°C – 27°C
Life span: 3 years
A small, elongated fish with very large blueish eyes. Adult length of 4cm – 6cm. Semi-transparent body with a pale olive, yellow or blueish hue and occasional silver flakes. Males are easily distinguished from females by their much larger dorsal, anal and pelvic fins that are often bright yellow along the edges
Pacific blue eyes are widespread throughout the eastern drainages from northern QLD to as far south as Narooma in NSW. They may also be found in lakes and streams of the sand islands of south-eastern QLD. These fish are abundant in fresh or brackish coastal waters but do not usually penetrate far inland.
Breeding
Males reach sexual maturity at around 6 months of age (2.8cm standard length). Females at 2.3cm standard length. Blue eyes will breed in warmer months, females shedding only 1-2 eggs at each spawning (a total of 9 eggs a day at the peak of breeding season). Females will attach eggs to vegetation and substrate at the spawning site. They take 18 – 21 days to develop at 22°C – 24°C. Larvae are well-developed upon hatching eating immediately. In aquarium conditions, they will grow rapidly and reach full maturity at 5 – 6 months.
Diet
Pacific blue eyes are a carnivorous species consuming mosquito larvae and small aquatic invertebrates. In captivity, you can supplement this diet with fish flakes or high-quality sinking pellets.
These are a great frog-friendly fish for anything from small tadpole ponds to large dams. In the right conditions, these fish will readily breed from mid-spring to mid-autumn making them a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance sustaining fish population.
In dams they can be an excellent addition to biodiversity and as a feeder or forage fish for larger predatory species such as bass, silver perch and Murray cod.