Moderate

Forktail Rainbowfish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Pseudomugil furcatus

Complete Forktail Rainbowfish care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Forktail Rainbowfish

Quick Answer

Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus) is a small, dazzling rainbowfish from Papua New Guinea. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the top/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus) is a small, dazzling rainbowfish from Papua New Guinea. Males have brilliant blue eyes, yellow fins, and a deeply forked tail.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with dense planting, dark substrate, and open swimming areas. They need clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate flow.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts micro flakes, small pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and frozen foods. Feed small amounts multiple times daily.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 8+. Good with other small, peaceful fish: celestial pearl danios, small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp.

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Tank Position
Top/Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Forktail Rainbowfish should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 20 gallons (75 liters) with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm). Forktail rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus), also known as Forktail Blue-eye, require groups over 10 for males to display bright yellow pectoral fins and safe competing behaviors. Groups under 6 cause faded coloration and fin-nipping. Maintain a 1 male to 2 female ratio. Provide dense planting (Java moss, Cabomba) and open swimming lanes. Tank height should be moderate (12-15 inches/30-38 cm) as they stay near the surface.
What are the exact water parameters for Forktail Rainbowfish?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They require clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate water flow (8x turnover). Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge filter or HOB with baffled flow. Add floating plants to diffuse light. Hardness below 4 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid sudden temperature drops >3°F (1.5°C).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Forktail Rainbowfish?
They are omnivores with small mouths, requiring 40% protein, 12% fat, 48% plant matter. Feed crushed high-protein flakes, micro pellets (0.3 mm), live baby brine shrimp, frozen cyclops, and daphnia 2-3 times daily. Offer spirulina powder and blanched peas weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 3 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue at half-dose. They are susceptible to velvet; treat with acriflavine.
How to breed Forktail Rainbowfish in captivity?
Condition 12-15 fish (1 male:2 female) with live baby brine shrimp and blackworms for 3 weeks. Set up a 10-gallon (38 liter) breeding tank with 6 inches (15 cm) of water (pH 7.0, dGH 8, 75°F/24°C), a spawning mop (made of acrylic yarn), and java moss. Spawning occurs daily at dawn; females deposit 5-15 eggs per day on the mop. Remove parents every 2-3 days. Eggs hatch in 10-14 days at 72°F (22°C). Fry are 0.15 inches (4 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp. Keep tank covered as fry jump.

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