Ivantsoff’s Blue-eye

Care requirements

Care level: Intermediate.

Lifespan: 3–5 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 54 L or larger / ≥ 60 cm (≥ 23.6 in) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, GH 3–10 dGH, KH 0–6 dKH.

Temperament and compatibility

Ivantsoff’s Blue-eye is peaceful and suits calm community fish.

Plant safe

Yes

Shrimp safe

Yes

Snail safe

Yes

Community safe

Yes

Aquascape fit

Yes

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the middle to upper part of the aquarium, so leave enough open swimming space for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Offer suitably tiny live, frozen and prepared foods such as Artemia nauplii, Cyclops, Daphnia and fine micro-granules. Large flakes and coarse pellets are unsuitable.

Natural habitat and origin

Origin: Indonesian New Guinea.

Natural habitat: Freshwater habitats in Indonesian New Guinea. The species has a restricted range and is listed as Endangered, making responsible sourcing especially important.

Breeding notes

Breeding difficulty: Intermediate.

Adults reach about 2.8 cm standard length, and the species belongs to Pseudomugilidae rather than Melanotaeniidae. Total length can approach 3.5–4 cm. The species is endangered in the wild, so provenance matters.

Before adding this fish

• Plan for an aquarium of 54 L or larger / ≥ 60 cm (≥ 23.6 in) minimum length.
• Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
• Offer a varied diet that matches this species.