The beautiful blue eyed rainbowfish of the genus Pseudomugil have quickly become favourites among nanotank enthusiasts and planted aquarium lovers alike. These small rainbowfish reach sized of only about 2", and do quite well in small aquariums, and especially well in planted tanks.
The Forktail Rainbowfish was the original rainbowfish that started the Pseudomugil craze, introduced to the hobby by the early 1980s. Most fish in the hobby are descendents from this collection, and wild populations are protected.
An active, schooling species, Forktail Rainbowfish should be kept in groups no smaller than 6-12 individuals, with larger being better. Males will flash their fins and enhance their colours, sparring at each other, over females, though these fights do not result in damage to either fish.
Care should be taken when choosing tank mates for these fish, as they are quite small. Larger fish may eat them, or outcompete Forktail's Rainbowfish for food. The various species of Pseudomugil should not be mixed, as hybrids may occur. Small, placid tetra, dimunitive catfishes, and invertebrates all make great additions to an aquarium with these fish.