Product Details

Furcatus Rainbow – Pseudomugil furcatus

The Furcatus Rainbow is a small, energetic blue-eye rainbowfish with bright blue eyes, yellow fins and a distinctive forked tail. Also sold as the Forktail Rainbowfish, Forktail Blue-eye, Furcata Rainbowfish or Yellow Forktail Rainbow, this peaceful species is ideal for mature planted aquariums with open swimming space, gentle flow and calm tank mates. It is hardy once settled, but it should be kept in a proper group where males can display naturally.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Furcatus Rainbow
Other Names: Forktail Rainbowfish, Forktail Blue-eye, Furcata Rainbowfish, Yellow Forktail Rainbow
Scientific Name: Pseudomugil furcatus
Fish Type: Blue-eye Rainbowfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Pseudomugil furcatus is native to Papua New Guinea, where it inhabits rainforest streams with thick vegetation and clear, well-oxygenated water. These habitats typically include plant cover, submerged roots, shaded margins and open areas where the fish can swim in loose groups.

In the aquarium, Furcatus Rainbows do best in a mature planted setup with open swimming space, fine-leaved plants, floating cover and gentle to moderate water movement. A natural layout with plants around the edges and a clear swimming area in the centre suits them well.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Furcatus Rainbows have a slim, active body with bright blue reflective eyes and eye-catching yellow fins. The pectoral fins are often held out as they swim, giving the fish a distinctive fluttering appearance. The forked tail and yellow fin edging make mature males especially attractive.

Males are usually brighter, more strongly marked and more active in display than females. Females are generally smaller and plainer, with shorter fins. Adults usually reach around 4–5 cm.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to planted community aquariums, small rainbowfish displays and peaceful tropical setups. It appreciates stable water, good oxygenation, swimming space and a proper group.

Furcatus Rainbows are peaceful but active, so they should not be kept with aggressive, predatory or fin-nipping fish. They are also best avoided in very rough communities where they may be stressed or outcompeted.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger groups and mixed peaceful communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred where space allows. A mixed group with several males and females encourages natural display behaviour and helps the fish feel secure.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–27°C
pH: 6.8–7.8
Hardness: Moderately soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Furcatus Rainbows prefer clean, stable and well-oxygenated water. They do best in mature aquariums with regular water changes, gentle to moderate flow and planted cover. Avoid poor water quality, unstable new tanks, very soft acidic extremes and low oxygen levels.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Furcatus Rainbows are peaceful shoaling fish suitable for calm community aquariums. Males may display and chase lightly, but this is normal and usually harmless when the group is large enough.

Suitable tank mates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, small rainbowfish, ricefish, pygmy cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, peaceful livebearers in suitable water and other gentle community fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping barbs, very boisterous fish and tank mates that prefer much cooler water.

Feeding:

Furcatus Rainbows are small omnivores. Offer fine flakes, micro pellets and small floating or slow-sinking foods as the staple diet.

Supplement with suitably sized frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae, rotifers and microworms. Their mouths are small, so food should be appropriately sized. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and active display behaviour.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active upper to midwater shoaling fish that spends much of its time swimming through open areas and plant cover. Males often display to females and rival males by spreading their fins, flashing their yellow markings and swimming in short bursts.

Breeding may occur in mature planted aquariums. Eggs are usually deposited among fine-leaved plants, moss or spawning mops. Adults may eat eggs and fry, so separate breeding arrangements are recommended if you want to raise young.

Care Notes:

Add Furcatus Rainbows only to a mature, stable aquarium with peaceful tank mates. Provide clean water, plant cover, open swimming space and good oxygenation.

They are generally hardy once settled, but they do best when kept in groups and fed small, varied foods. Avoid cramped tanks, rough tank mates and poor water quality. A secure lid is recommended, as small active rainbowfish can jump when startled.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Usually captive-bred or commercially farmed

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, fin shape, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.