TankBud

Red neon blue-eye

Pseudomugil luminatus

Also known as Red neon rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Red neon blue-eye (Pseudomugil luminatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
1.4 in
3.5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Very common
Family
Pseudomugilidae
Origin
Timika region, southern New Guinea

Overview

The red neon blue-eye is a tiny, peaceful schooling fish for the upper water of a heavily planted tank. It is a step up from the easiest community fish.

Did you know

Red neon blue-eye males spend most of the day sparring without ever touching. Two rivals face off side by side, flare every fin and flash their red color, then break and do it again.

Caring for the red neon blue-eye

Keep red neon blue-eyes in a group of 8 to 10 or more, in a tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Plant it heavily, with floating plants up top for cover and display space. Add a dark substrate and gentle flow. They settle in best and show their color in a quiet, well-established tank rather than a brightly lit bare one.

Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH on the soft side of neutral, from 6.5 to 7.5. Feed small foods like micro pellets and crushed flake, with frozen treats such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp.

Red neon blue-eyes are peaceful nano fish that work the top and middle of the water. Skew the group toward males, since competition drives their red color and constant fin-flicking display. They do best in a nano or species tank, since anything large or fast will outcompete and stress them.

They drop their eggs among fine plants or spawning mops over several days. They give no parental care, and breeding is rated medium.

Good to know

The red neon blue-eye is a rainbowfish relative in the family Pseudomugilidae, the blue-eyes. It is short-lived, often only one to two years. Most fish in the trade are tank-bred rather than wild-caught.

In the wild

Red neon blue-eyes come from the Timika region of southern New Guinea. They live in small, clear forest streams and pools over tannin-stained water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The red neon blue-eye is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a red neon blue-eye need?

A red neon blue-eye needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a red neon blue-eye need?

A red neon blue-eye is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a red neon blue-eye eat?

A red neon blue-eye eats small foods like micro pellets and crushed flake. Give it frozen treats such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp as well.

How big does a red neon blue-eye get?

An adult red neon blue-eye reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

Does a red neon blue-eye need a group?

Yes. A red neon blue-eye is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a red neon blue-eye breed?

Red neon blue-eyes drop their eggs among fine plants or spawning mops over several days. They give no parental care, and breeding is rated medium.

Related species