Popondetta blue-eye

Pseudomugil connieae

Also known as Connie's blue-eye, Popondetta rainbowfish, Connie's rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 7.0–8.0
Adult size: 2 in (5 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Top
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Rarity: Common
Origin: Endemic to a small area within about 50 km of Popondetta in eastern Papua New Guinea, in clear, moderately flowing rainforest and open streams.
Family: Pseudomugilidae

Overview

Keep at least six to eight, and preferably a dozen, in a tank of 40 litres or more at 24 to 28 C with a slightly alkaline pH of 7.0 to 8.0. A group with both sexes keeps the males sparring and colorful. It is peaceful and suits community tanks with other small, calm fish that enjoy similar hard water. Feed small flake, micro pellets and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp.

In the wild

Popondetta blue-eyes live in clear, moderate to fairly quick streams, both shaded by rainforest and open to the sun, over gravel and among plants. They shoal near the surface and constantly flick their yellow-edged fins. A planted tank of 40 litres or more with open swimming lanes, some floating plants and gentle current keeps them comfortable. Unlike many blue-eyes they prefer harder, alkaline water.

Good to know

Pseudomugil connieae is a blue-eye in the family Pseudomugilidae and was long a hobby staple simply called the Popondetta after the town near its home streams. Males carry taller, more colorful fins than females and spar by flaring them side by side. It is one of the larger and hardier blue-eyes, which made it popular with breeders.

Did you know

It breeds readily, scattering a few eggs each day among fine plants or spawning mops over a long period rather than in one big batch, which makes it one of the easiest blue-eyes to raise.