Red Neon Blue Eye (Pseudomugil luminatus)

Common Name

Red Neon Blue Eye

Origin and Habitat

Pseudomugil luminatus is native to southern New Guinea, primarily in lowland swamps and tiny forest creeks that wind through peat flats and pandanus thickets. These waters are shallow, tea stained, and very clear, with gentle flow over fine sand, leaf litter, and tangled roots. Emergent grasses, fallen branches, and submerged plants provide constant cover. Although wild sites often test soft and acidic, aquarium bred fish adapt well to a range of clean, stable conditions.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred temperature is 23 to 28°C, which is 73 to 82°F. Wild habitats are commonly soft and slightly to strongly acidic, often in the pH 5.0 to 6.5 range. In the aquarium, stability matters most. We do not recommend chasing numbers or altering water chemistry except for specific breeding projects. Provide steady temperature, excellent oxygenation, and very low nitrogen waste.

Appearance and Size

Males glow with a ruby red to scarlet body, electric blue eyes, and luminous blue and white highlights in the fins. Filament tips on the dorsal and anal fins intensify during courtship. Females are more translucent gold with shorter fins and subtler color. Adults reach about 3 to 3.5 cm, which is 1.2 to 1.4 inches. Good lighting and dark backgrounds amplify the neon effect that gives this species its name.

Diet in the Wild

In nature, Red Neon Blue Eyes pick at tiny drifting prey near the surface and among plants. Their diet includes insect larvae, micro crustaceans such as copepods and cladocerans, and other zooplankton.

Feeding in Captivity

Offer a fine varied menu. Live or frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and finely chopped bloodworms build condition and color. High quality micro pellets and flakes designed for small mouthed fish are readily accepted. Small portions two to three times daily fit their active grazing style and help maintain water quality.

Behavior and Tank Setup

This is a peaceful, active shoaler that feels most secure in groups of eight or more. A rectangular aquarium with open midwater, floating plants for shade, and fine leaved stems or moss for cover suits them well. Use gentle filtration with a sponge prefilter and strong aeration rather than forceful current. A dark substrate, leaf litter, and wood bring out natural behavior and deeper color. Tank mates should be small and calm, such as ricefish, tiny rasboras, dwarf rainbowfish, pygmy Corydoras, Otocinclus, and most Neocaridina shrimp. A tight fitting lid is essential, as they are capable jumpers.

Breeding

Pseudomugil luminatus is a continuous spawner and one of the most rewarding nano fish to breed.

Conditioning: Feed frequent small meals of live or frozen foods for one to two weeks. Maintain very clean water, gentle flow, and a slightly longer photoperiod. A temperature in the middle of the preferred range works well. A small daily water change can act as a rain cue.

Spawning method: Pairs and groups scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or synthetic mops, usually near the surface or midwater. Provide at least two mops, one floating and one suspended near the bottom, or dense clumps of moss. Males display with rapid fin flicks and lateral dances, leading females into the fibers to deposit single eggs over many days.

Egg handling: Eggs have sticky filaments and are easy to lift from mops. You can leave them with the adults and harvest mops every day or two, or move eggs to a small hatching container with gentle aeration. Parents will opportunistically eat eggs and fry, so separating eggs improves yield. At 24 to 26°C, hatching typically occurs in about 10 to 14 days. Slightly cooler water lengthens incubation.

Raising fry: Fry are tiny and need microscopic foods for the first days. Start with infusoria, paramecium, rotifers, or commercial liquid fry foods. Introduce vinegar eels and microworms after a few days, then transition to newly hatched baby brine shrimp once bellies can handle it. Maintain very clean water with daily small top ups, stable temperature, and gentle aeration. A clump of moss provides microfauna and shelter. Harvesting eggs daily from the colony allows continuous cohorts for steady grow out.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Pseudomugil luminatus
• Origin: Southern New Guinea lowland swamps and creeks
• Size: About 3 to 3.5 cm, which is 1.2 to 1.4 inches
• Temperature: 23 to 28°C, which is 73 to 82°F
• pH: Wild sites often 5.0 to 6.5, stability in the aquarium is more important than exact value
• Temperament: Peaceful, active shoaler
• Diet: Micropredator of zooplankton and tiny insects
• Breeding: Continuous egg scatterer on mops or fine plants, eggs hatch in about 10 to 14 days, very small fry need micro foods before baby brine shrimp

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

Few nano fish light up a planted tank like the Red Neon Blue Eye. They thrive in stable, clean water with floating cover and fine leaved plants, and they reward thoughtful keepers with constant courtship and regular spawns. For a lively community, keep a generous group and pair them with equally gentle species that enjoy similar conditions. If breeding is the goal, rotate two or three spawning mops, collect eggs daily, and raise fry in small dedicated containers. With consistent care and frequent micro feedings, a small colony can provide a steady stream of glowing juveniles for display or selective breeding projects.