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Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Here is a detailed profile of the Paskai Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil paskai), a small, colorful, and peaceful freshwater species that’s ideal for nano and community tanks.


🐟 Paskai Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil paskai)

🔹 Common Names

  • Paskai Rainbowfish

  • Red Neon Blue-eye

  • Paska’s Blue-eye

🔹 Scientific Classification

Category Detail
Scientific Name Pseudomugil paskai
Family Pseudomugilidae (Blue-eyes)
Order Atheriniformes
Origin Papua New Guinea (Sepik River basin)
Discovery Described by G.R. Allen & Ivantsoff in 1986
Conservation Status Not officially assessed; stable in the aquarium trade

🌈 Appearance

Feature Description
Size 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.5 cm)
Body Color Translucent to reddish-orange body with bright neon blue eyes and iridescent blue highlights on fins
Fins Males have elongated, flowing fins with white or yellow tips; females have smaller, more rounded fins and subtler coloration
  • Males are significantly more colorful and display constantly when females are present.

  • The species has a glowing, vibrant appearance under aquarium lighting.


🧬 Behavior & Temperament

Trait Detail
Temperament Peaceful, active, social
Social Behavior Shoaling species – keep in groups of 6 or more
Compatibility Excellent for peaceful nano or community tanks
Activity Level Very active mid-to-top dwellers

🏞️ Natural Habitat

Trait Detail
Native Habitat Shallow, slow-moving rainforest streams in Papua New Guinea
Environment Dense vegetation, soft acidic water, leaf litter
Substrate Sandy or silty bottom with plant cover and organic debris

🧪 Water Parameters (Captivity)

Parameter Ideal Range
Temperature 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH 6.0–7.5
Hardness Soft to moderately hard (3–12 dGH)
Ammonia/Nitrites 0 ppm (very sensitive)
  • Clean, well-oxygenated water is essential.

  • Weekly water changes are highly recommended.


🐠 Aquarium Requirements

Feature Recommendation
Tank Size 10 gallons minimum (for a group); larger preferred for stability
Substrate Dark sand or fine gravel enhances their colors
Aquascaping Heavily planted tank with floating plants and low light areas
Filtration Gentle flow (e.g., sponge filter)
Tank Lid Must be covered – they are jumpers
Lighting Moderate – brings out iridescence

🍽️ Diet

Type Suitable Foods
Omnivorous - Micro pellets
  • Flake food (crushed)

  • Live or frozen: baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, micro worms

  • Occasionally: blanched vegetables, spirulina flakes |

  • Small mouths = small food only.

  • A varied diet enhances coloration and breeding behavior.


🐣 Breeding

Aspect Detail
Spawning Type Egg scatterer
Breeding Tank Small tank with sponge filter and spawning mops or moss
Egg Laying Eggs laid on plants/mops daily; sticky
Hatching Time 7–10 days
Fry Feeding Infusoria or commercial fry food → baby brine shrimp after 4–5 days
  • Adults may eat the eggs or fry – separate parents or eggs for best results.

  • Regular spawning occurs in healthy, stress-free groups.


⚠️ Care Tips

  • Do not mix with large or aggressive fish. They can be stressed or eaten easily.

  • Colors intensify with good water quality, diet, and dim lighting.

  • Soft, acidic water enhances their natural behavior and breeding activity.

  • Keep in groups of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.


📚 Fun Facts

  • Named after John Paska, who assisted in collecting the first specimens.

  • The species belongs to the “blue-eye” rainbowfish due to its shimmering electric-blue iris.

  • Males perform “fluttering” dances to attract females and show dominance.


✅ Ideal Tank Mates

  • Other small peaceful species:

    • Other Pseudomugil species (e.g., P. luminatus, P. gertrudae)

    • Chili rasboras, celestial pearl danios

    • Otocinclus catfish, pygmy corydoras

    • Shrimp (e.g., Amano, Cherry shrimp)

    • Snails (e.g., nerite, mystery)


Would you like help designing a nano community tank that features Pseudomugil paskai as a centerpiece?

We process orders on all weekdays (Monday to Saturday), excluding public holidays.

To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.

Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.

To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.

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