Care guide · Freshwater · fish
Red neon blue-eye
Pseudomugil luminatus
No verified species photo available yet
The red neon blue-eye (Pseudomugil luminatus) is a tiny blue-eye from southern New Guinea. Mature males stand out with red-orange colour and a vivid blue stripe along the back; females are usually less contrasting. This is not a miniature fish for a newly set-up nano tank: it needs a stable group, clean oxygen-rich water and food that genuinely fits its tiny mouth. In an aquarium it mainly uses the middle and upper layers and shows well among plants with open swimming space. Its common name is sometimes confused with Pseudomugil paskai, a separate species. Check the scientific name and ask about source and captive-breeding history; the species is Endangered and its known range is very restricted.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.2
- GH
- 6–15 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 60 cm
- Minimum aquarium volume
- At least 54 L
- Adult size
- Up to 1.9 cm
- Group size
- At least 8 individuals
- Temperament
- Peaceful
About this species
Pseudomugil luminatus was described scientifically in 2016 and belongs to Pseudomugilidae. The name refers to the bright colours of adult males. FishBase reports a maximum standard length of 1.9 cm, measured to the base of the tail fin rather than total length. Males develop a reddish to yellow-orange body, neon-blue upper-body stripe and extended fin rays; females are more subdued. The close relative P. paskai is a different species. The description distinguishes them partly through fin rays, scales and colour pattern, so a trade name alone cannot guarantee identification.Natural habitat
The species is known from a small area in Papua Province, Indonesia. Sources describe forest streams and swamp-like sago-Pandanus areas with slow-flowing, sometimes dark-stained water. The original known locality has been heavily altered by sediment deposition; later records concern forest streams in the region. A field value is not a direct aquarium recipe. Keep habitat records separate from practical care ranges and avoid abrupt changes in the aquarium.Aquarium and layout
A specialist aquarium guide gives about 60 cm tank length and 54 litres as a practical starting point for a group. This is gross capacity for those dimensions, not a guarantee for every layout. Keep at least eight fish; a larger group is appropriate if space allows. Plant the margins and use floating plants for filtered light if desired, while leaving the middle and upper water open. Provide fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, gentle flow, good oxygenation and a fully matured filter. A secure lid is sensible.Water conditions
This guide uses 24–28 °C as a practical band across aquarium recommendations and pH 6.5–7.2 as a cautious overlap. Natural stream measurements in a government report vary by locality, including warmer and more acidic water; these are field records, not proof every aquarium needs the same values. Keep temperature and water quality stable, maintain oxygenation and avoid detectable ammonia or nitrite. No sufficiently consistent species-specific aquarium target for GH or KH was established, so no value is supplied.Behaviour and group size
The red neon blue-eye is a peaceful, loosely shoaling fish of the middle and upper water. Males display and may briefly challenge one another; the described courtship is generally harmless to other species. Its tiny size and gentle feeding pace make it a poor match for large, boisterous or fast-feeding fish. A species aquarium is the lowest-risk choice. Assess proposed companions by adult size, behaviour, feeding competition, swim layer and available space; matching water values alone does not prove compatibility. No unverified fish pairings are linked here.Feeding
Offer several small portions with very fine particles. Complete flakes can be crumbled, but check that every fish can take them. Suitable variety includes appropriately small frozen or live microfoods such as newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms. The species eats small animal prey in nature; a database trophic level is not a complete diet prescription. Watch the whole group and remove leftovers promptly. Large pellets and whole dried Daphnia are not suitable staples for this tiny mouth.Breeding
The species lays adhesive eggs on fine plants or spawning material and provides no parental care. Aquarium observations describe repeated small deposits. Adults may eat eggs and fry. For deliberate breeding, use a separate mature tank with fine plants or a spawning mop and inspect the material regularly. Newly hatched fry are minute and first need microscopic foods such as infusoria. Move to larger foods only when they can take them; no fixed hatching duration is given here.Suitable products
Recommended staple foods
Tropical Supervit Basic 100ml
Complete flakes should only be offered finely crumbled so particles fit the tiny mouth. Check that every fish takes them and vary with suitable microfoods.
Check retailer for price0 retailers
View retailersPrices from the latest retailer update, excluding shipping. Check stock and delivery with the retailer.
Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .
View the sources
- California Academy of Sciences — Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes — Pseudomugil luminatus
- Fishes of Sahul / ANGFA — Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty (2016), Pseudomugil luminatus, a new species of blue-eye
- FishBase Consortium — FishBase — Pseudomugil luminatus
- Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water — Assessment of the potential impacts of six Pseudomugil species on the environment
- Australia New Guinea Fishes Association — Pseudomugil luminatus — Home of the Rainbowfish
- Aquarist Atlas — Red Neon Blue-eye care, size and water
- Aquarium Wissen — Zwergblauauge — Haltung, Gruppe und Wasserwerte
- Aquairi — Pseudomugil luminatus care guide