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New Guinea blue-eye (Pseudomugil novaeguineae) — Pseudomugilidae

New Guinea blue-eye

Pseudomugil novaeguineae

The New Guinea blue-eye (Pseudomugil novaeguineae) is a freshwater fish of the family Pseudomugilidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

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Description

The New Guinea blue-eye is a blue-eye (Pseudomugilidae) from clear streams, pools and swamps of New Guinea in the western Pacific. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a striking blue eye-ring; the male shows finely coloured, spread fins. As a social, surface-oriented fish it swims in schools and snaps at mosquito larvae, small plankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the New Guinea blue-eye?

The New Guinea blue-eye has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the New Guinea blue-eye live?

The New Guinea blue-eye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the New Guinea blue-eye get?

The New Guinea blue-eye grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the New Guinea blue-eye dangerous to humans?

No, the New Guinea blue-eye is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
New Guinea blue-eye sourced
Scientific name
Pseudomugil novaeguineae
Family
Pseudomugilidae
Other names
New Guinea blue-eye verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudomugil

More from the family Pseudomugilidae

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