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

Here’s a full guide to the Forktail Rainbowfish – a dazzling, energetic nano fish perfect for peaceful community tanks and planted aquascapes.


🐟 Forktail Rainbowfish Overview

  • Scientific Name: Pseudomugil furcatus

  • Common Names: Forktail Blue-eye, Forktail Rainbow, Furcata Rainbowfish

  • Family: Pseudomugilidae

  • Origin: Papua New Guinea (found in clear rainforest streams and shallow tributaries)


📏 Physical Characteristics

  • Size: 1.8–2.5 inches (4.5–6.5 cm)

  • Lifespan: ~3–4 years with good care

  • Body Shape: Slender, torpedo-shaped

  • Coloration:

    • Pale yellow to translucent body

    • Neon blue eyes (distinctive!)

    • Males: Bright yellow forked tail and fins with black edges

    • Females: Smaller, less colorful, but still attractive


🧬 Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament: Peaceful, active, and social

  • Schooling Fish: Yes – best in groups of at least 6–8

  • Tank Level: Mid to top-level swimmers

  • Activity: Energetic and constantly moving, often displaying to each other


🐠 Tank Requirements

Requirement Details
Tank Size Minimum 10 gallons (20+ gallons ideal for groups)
Water Type Freshwater
Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Level 6.0–7.5
Hardness 5–15 dGH
Filtration Gentle flow preferred
Aquascape Heavily planted, open swimming areas
Lighting Moderate to bright (shows off iridescence)
Cover Tight-fitting lid – they can jump!

🍽️ Diet

  • Type: Omnivore (micro-predator)

  • Preferred Foods:

    • Live/frozen: daphnia, baby brine shrimp, bloodworms

    • Micro pellets, high-quality flakes

    • Occasional spirulina or veggie-based flakes

  • Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily in small amounts


🐣 Breeding

  • Spawning Type: Egg scatterer

  • Behavior:

    • Males display and chase females during courtship

    • Eggs are laid among fine-leafed plants or spawning mops

  • Breeding Setup:

    • Use a separate breeding tank with moss or mops

    • Collect eggs daily (adults may eat them)

    • Eggs hatch in ~7–10 days

  • Fry Care:

    • Feed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp


Tips for Success

  • Keep in schools (6+); more males = more vibrant displays

  • Provide floating plants and gentle current

  • Bright lighting enhances colors

  • Weekly water changes keep them healthy and active


🤝 Compatibility

Forktail Rainbowfish are peaceful and ideal for nano/community tanks. Suitable tankmates include:

  • Other peaceful rainbows (e.g., Pseudomugil species)

  • Small rasboras (e.g., chili, harlequin)

  • Corydoras catfish

  • Otocinclus

  • Neon or ember tetras

  • Shrimp (though tiny fry may be at risk)

Avoid:

  • Large or aggressive fish

  • Fin-nippers (they have long delicate fins)


⚠️ Common Issues

  • Jumping: Always use a tight lid

  • Stress from low numbers: Keep in groups

  • Dull color: Often due to stress, poor diet, or lighting

  • Sensitivity: Can react poorly to sudden changes in water quality


🎯 Summary

The Forktail Rainbowfish is an eye-catching, peaceful nano fish perfect for planted aquariums. Their glowing blue eyes, yellow fins, and social behaviors make them a favorite among aquascapers and community tank keepers.


Would you like a tank setup guide or a community stocking list with Forktails as the 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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