🐟 General Overview

• Common Names: Gertrude Rainbowfish, Spotted Blue-eye Rainbowfish, Dwarf Blue-eye

• Scientific Name: Pseudomugil gertrudae

• Family: Pseudomugilidae

• Origin: Northern Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands

• Type: Small freshwater schooling fish

• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and social

🌊 Natural Habitat

• Found in slow-moving streams, swamps, and forest pools rich in vegetation.

• Prefers shallow, clear waters with dense aquatic plants and leaf litter.

• Naturally inhabits soft, slightly acidic to neutral water conditions.

📏 Size and Lifespan

• Adult Size: 1.2–1.5 inches (3–4 cm)

• Lifespan: Around 3–5 years in captivity with proper care

🏡 Aquarium Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 10–15 gallons (ideal for small groups)

• Aquascape: Heavily planted tank with fine-leaved plants (like Java moss, Myriophyllum, or Rotala)

• Lighting: Moderate to bright (enhances colors and promotes plant growth)

• Substrate: Dark substrate helps colors stand out

• Flow: Gentle to moderate; they dislike strong currents

• Tank Lid: Essential — they are excellent jumpers

💧 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: 5–15 dGH

• Water Quality: Clean, stable conditions are vital — sensitive to fluctuations

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivorous (micro-predator)

• Preferred Foods:

  • Live or frozen foods: daphnia, brine shrimp, micro worms, bloodworms

  • High-quality micro pellets or crushed flakes

  • Occasionally, algae-based foods for balance

• Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.

🤝 Behavior and Tankmates

• Temperament: Peaceful and active, ideal for community tanks

• Social Behavior: Best kept in groups of 6 or more — males display their fins beautifully when showing off to females

• Compatible Tankmates:

  • Small, peaceful fish like ember tetras, rasboras, neon tetras

  • Dwarf corydoras, otocinclus, small shrimp

• Avoid large or aggressive species that could intimidate or eat them.

🌿 Breeding

• Type: Egg scatterer

• Breeding Setup:

  • Use a separate breeding tank with fine plants or spawning mops

  • Males court females with fin displays and chasing

  • Females scatter adhesive eggs on plants or moss

• Incubation: Eggs hatch in about 7–10 days

• Fry Care: Feed newly hatched fry infusoria or liquid fry food, then baby brine shrimp

• Continuous breeders — adults may spawn daily in good conditions.

⚕️ Care Tips & Health

• Keep stable temperature and pristine water conditions

• Perform weekly partial water changes (20–30%)

• Provide a mix of plant cover and open swimming space

• Avoid strong filters that create heavy currents

• Observe for fin clamping or dull colors — signs of stress or poor water quality

🧠 Interesting Facts

• Males have elongated, iridescent fins with bright yellow and blue colors, while females are smaller and less vivid.

• Known for their fluttering fin movements, resembling butterflies underwater.

• Perfect choice for nano or planted tanks — adds sparkle and movement without aggression.

• Their beauty is most visible under natural or LED lighting that enhances their reflective scales.