Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis Allen & Sarti, 1983
Blueback blue-eye
Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis
photo by Boeck, H.

Family:  Pseudomugilidae (Blue eyes)
Max. size:  3.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Pacific: northern Australia, near Broome and between Darwin and Wyndham, Northern Territory.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-7; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-13. Premaxilla wide, its ascending process short and lateral process absent. Vomer wide and slightly curved. Mesethmoid absent. Second dorsal fin with no spines and 4-7 soft rays. Pectoral fins with no spines. Midlateral scales 22-26. Elongated rays and base of second dorsal fin black.
Biology:  Inhabits mangrove swamps and highly saline creeks flowing into estuaries, usually swimming over muddy bottom. Often congregate in large numbers. May be found in hypersaline waters (28-40 ppt) and in relatively high temperatures (22-31°C). Breeding has been achieved in aquaria; the eggs take about two weeks to hatch and young fish reach adulthood in only three months (Ref. 44894). A small but attractive species.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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