Forktail Rainbow

The Blue Eye Forktail Rainbowfish is an excellent inhabitant for any community or planted aquarium. Also known as the Blue-Eyed Forktail or Furcata Rainbowfish, it is native to the densely planted rainforest streams of eastern Papua New Guinea. This fish has proven to be very adaptable in aquaria, and we are pleased to offer extremely high-quality, tank-raised specimens.  

The Blue Eye Forktail Rainbowfish features some of the most impressive coloration available in freshwater fish, with their gorgeous, bright blue eyes being especially impressive. It has a gray to green body coloration with bright yellow edges on all of its fins with black margins on the rear dorsal, anal, and caudal (tail) fins. While these colors are more faint in juveniles, they intensify as the fish reaches adulthood as long as a varied diet of high-quality omnivorous foods are provided.  The best coloration can be achieved in schools of 6 or more, with multiple males as well as females. Omnivorous flake foods as well as live, freeze-dried and frozen foods will make an excellent staple diet. Hardy aquarium plants will not be bothered.

As with many fish that inhabit the middle and upper areas of the aquarium, the Forktail Rainbowfish is prone to jumping occasionally. A hood/canopy or lower water level is recommended to ensure that this fish does not jump out of the aquarium. The only other housing requirements for this fish are clean, stable water conditions and ample areas of cover, particularly vegetation. Floating plants such as duckweed and hornwort are very beneficial to this strictly schooling fish.

The entire family of rainbowfish is popular in freshwater aquaria due to the generally peaceful disposition, hardiness, and beautiful coloration of its members. While many popular rainbowfish species eventually become too large to be kept with dwarf shrimp and some other nano species, the Forktail Rainbowfish is one of a few exceptions. Fully grown Forktail Rainbowfish are typically safe to keep even with adult dwarf shrimp and virtually all non-aggressive invertebrates that we offer.