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FishbeginnerFreshwater

Paskai Rainbowfish

Pseudomugil paskai

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygii

📍 Indonesia

Ask Finn

A tiny, jewel-like blue-eye rainbowfish from Papua New Guinea reaching only about 1.5 inches, with males displaying brilliant blue irises and a warm orange-red body that intensifies with age. Perfect for nano tanks of 10+ gallons, it is peaceful and best kept in groups of 8+ where males will display to each other, showing off their colors.

Size1.2"
Min Tank10g
School6+
peaceful
Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Paskai rainbowfish are omnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Supplement occasionally with live microworms or infusoria to promote optimal coloration and health.

Behavior

These tiny, active fish are peaceful schoolers that spend most of their time in the upper water column darting and hovering near the surface. Males display vibrant colors and engage in non-aggressive posturing toward each other, making groups of 8+ ideal for observing natural behaviors. They are skittish by nature and benefit from planted tanks that provide security.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require pristine water conditions, dense plant cover for egg scattering, and very small live foods for fry. Success requires patience, dedication, and careful monitoring of water parameters and fry development.

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy

Treatment

Gradually raise water temperature to 28-30°C over 48 hours, maintain for 7-10 days, use quality ich medication if needed, perform daily 25% water changes

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, use antibacterial medication if severe, ensure adequate filtration

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Cloudy eyes, open sores, loss of appetite, color fading, erratic swimming

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, quarantine affected fish if possible, maintain pristine water conditions

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss despite feeding, clamped fins

Treatment

Use anti-parasitic medication as directed, increase aeration, perform frequent water changes, quarantine new fish before adding to main tank

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Water it likes

ph
6.5–7.5
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
temperature
72–82°F (22–28°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists