Neon blue-eye facts for kids

The neon blue-eye (Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis), also called the blueback blue-eye, is a small, colorful fish. It belongs to the subfamily Pseudomugilinae. You can find this fish in northern Australia, especially in places like the Gulf Country, the Kimberley, and around Darwin. First discovered in 1983, the neon blue-eye has become a popular pet in aquariums all over the world.

Meet the Neon Blue-eye Fish

The Neon blue-eye is a small fish. It usually grows to about 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) long. Males and females of this species look different. This is called sexual dimorphism.

Male neon blue-eyes are very colorful! Their backs are a shiny metallic blue with tiny black spots. A thin black stripe runs along their sides. This stripe separates the blue top from their clear or yellowish-white belly. They also have a small yellow spot near their first dorsal fin. The edges of their fins are often dusky, or dark.

Female neon blue-eyes are plainer. They are mostly see-through silvery-grey. Their fins are clear, and they have a white belly.

Where Do Neon Blue-eyes Live?

Neon blue-eyes live in northern Australia. They are found in different areas that are not connected. You can find them from Crab Creek, east of Broome, and around Wyndham in Western Australia.

In the Northern Territory, they have been seen between Darwin and the Cobourg Peninsula. They also live on Melville Island. In Queensland, they are found in the basin of the Norman River on the Gulf of Carpentaria coast.

Habitat and Life Cycle

The neon blue-eye is a special kind of fish. It can live in many different types of water. This is called being euryhaline. It can handle both salty and fresh water. However, it prefers muddy creeks that have mangrove trees along the banks.

During the monsoon season, which is a time of heavy rain, they can also be found in pure freshwater habitats. In the wild, neon blue-eyes breed at certain times of the year. They usually lay their eggs from October to December.

They seem to prefer breeding in groups. These groups include many males and females. Males will show off their dorsal and anal fins to attract females. They will actively chase the females. During this display, both sexes become more colorful. Females that are not ready to breed will avoid the males. They do this by swimming near the surface or hiding in plants.

The eggs are scattered among water plants. They stick to the plants using sticky threads on their outer layer. The eggs usually hatch in about 12 to 15 days.

Neon blue-eyes are mainly carnivores. This means they eat meat. They feed on insects that live on land and in the water. They also eat insect larvae and small crustaceans that live in the water.

Discovery of the Neon Blue-eye

The neon blue-eye was first found by Helen K. Larson in 1981. She discovered it near Darwin. A year later, Neil Sarti found it in Crab Creek near Broome.

In 1983, the species was officially described. This means it was given its scientific name and details. Gerald R. Allen and Neil Sarti were the ones who described it. Crab Creek was named as the type locality. This is the place where the first official specimens were found.

Neon Blue-eyes as Aquarium Pets

The neon blue-eye first became available for people to keep in aquariums in Australia in 1982. However, it was hard to get a group that could breed well.

More wild fish were brought into the hobby in 1986. From these fish, the neon blue-eye became very popular. Now, you can find this species widely available in aquariums all over the world.