Forktail Blue Eye Rainbow Fish Popondetta Turcata 3cm

Overview

The Forktail Blue-eye is a tiny, glittering rainbowfish with luminous blue eyes, a deeply forked tail and yellow fins that the males flick constantly while displaying. It comes from clear forest streams in Papua New Guinea. It suits mature, planted nano and community tanks with small, calm companions.

• Adult Size: Around 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in); males slightly larger and more colourful
• Lifespan: 2–3 years in aquaria; short-lived by nature

Origin

• Native to: Papua New Guinea: Musa and Kwagila river basins
• Habitat: Clear, heavily vegetated lowland forest streams, slow to moderate current

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous, favouring tiny live and frozen foods
• Preferred Foods: Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, micro worms, cyclops, crushed flake, micro pellets
• Feeding Habits: Small meals two or three times daily; small mouth needs fine foods

Tank Mates

• Best with: Groups of 8–10 of its own kind, small rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, shrimp
• Avoid: Large, boisterous or fin-nipping fish that outcompete it

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Peaceful, active shoaler
• Territoriality: None beyond harmless male sparring displays

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
• Challenges: Needs a mature, stable, well-oxygenated tank; short lifespan

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard and slightly alkaline
• Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Hardness: 10–25 dGH
• Flow: Slow to moderate
• Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a group; longer tanks show off displaying males

Final Notes

Buy a proper group and expect a fast, short life: they mature within months and become less productive after 12 to 18 months. Females scatter a few eggs daily among fine plants or spawning mops with no parental care, so breeding is easy if eggs are moved. All stock descends from one 1981 collection, so some inbreeding is common; choose a mature, planted tank and they reward you with constant colour and activity.