Honey blue-eye
| Honey blue-eye | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Genus: | Pseudomugil |
| Species: | P. mellis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudomugil mellis G. R. Allen & Ivantsoff, 1982
| |
The honey blue-eye (Pseudomugil mellis) is an endangered species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae. It is endemic to southeastern Queensland, Australia, where it is found in mildly acidic, often tannin-stained, ponds and streams in wallum habitat.
Taxonomy
Previously considered a colour variant of the related pacific blue-eye (
Description
The honey blue-eye is a small, pale honey coloured fish that can attain up to 2.5–3 cm (1–1+1⁄8 in) in length as an adult, with the largest recorded being a male of 3.8 cm (1+1⁄2 in). As the common name suggests, the honey blue-eye has blue eyes. It has blue cheeks and a single fine midlateral line running along its body from the tip of the pectoral fin backwards. The female has clear fins. Male honey blue-eyes have distinct black submarginal bands and white margins on their dorsal, anal and caudal fins.[4] Honey blue-eyes form schools from about 25 to 70 individuals.
Distribution and habitat
The honey blue-eye is found in two disjunct areas of in
Conservation
Originally classified as vulnerable in 1988, the honey blue-eye was reclassified as endangered by the IUCN in 1996.[1] It is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 nationally in Australia,[2] and under state-based legislation in Queensland.[5]
Its habitat is fragmented as it lies on the fringes of large urban areas, much of which has been subjected to massive development.[2] Within its range, three invasive fish species—eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) and southern platyfish (X. maculatus)—have established themselves, though their extent is unknown. The aggressive eastern mosquitofish is known to impact on other fish species, and is still introduced to streams in the mistaken belief it assists with mosquito control.[4]
Furthermore, populations are impacted by collection of wild fish for the aquarium industry.[4]
Feeding
Algae form the bulk of the diet of the honey blue-eye, with the remainder made up of insects and other aquatic invertebrates. The honey blue-eye generally forages at the surface of the water.[4]
Breeding
Female honey blue-eyes are sexually mature at three months of age or when they have reached 1.5–2 cm (5⁄8–3⁄4 in) in standard length. Spawning takes place in spring and summer. Females spawn 40–125 eggs over 7–9 days, generally depositing them at the base of aquatic vegetation.[4] When the young honey blue-eyes hatch, they will usually feed from the surface of the water.
The life span of the species is around 1–2 years in the wild, and around 2 years in aquariums.[4]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Department of the Environment (2015). "Pseudomugil mellis — Honey Blue-eye: SPRAT Profile". Biodiversity Species Profile and Threats Database. Canberra: Department of the Environment. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- PMID 14717894. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
- ^ ISBN 9780643098954.
- ^ "Honey blue eye". Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection). 18 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2015.