Honey blue-eye (Pseudomugil mellis)

Scientific name: Pseudomugil mellis Allen & Ivantsoff, 1982

The Honey blue-eye (Pseudomugil mellis) is a freshwater fish of the family Pseudomugilidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Oceania, southern Queensland around the vicinity of Brisbane, Australia northward along the coast, 300 km to Bundaberg area.

Honey blue-eye care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Inhabits ponds and small streams near the sea; water typically dark (tea-like) with sand or mud bottom (pH=4.5-5.8, upper limit of water temperature 27.5?-32.5?C). Occurs in slow-flowing, tannin-stained creeks and coastal dune lakes in sandy country (locally known as 'wallum'). Found along grassy banks, often among reeds or water lilies. Closely related to Pseudomugil signifer.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pseudomugil mellis
Family: Pseudomugilidae (Blue eyes)
Order: Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 3.5
Depth range: 20 m (66 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic; depth range 20 - 20 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Oceania: southern Queensland around the vicinity of Brisbane, Australia northward along the coast, 300 km to Bundaberg area.
Conservation status (IUCN): Endangered (EN) (A1acde+2cde)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.83-1; Fec=42-145; assuming multiple spawning per year)