Pseudomugil reticulatus

Allen and Ivantsoff, 1986

Vogelkop Blue Eye

Species Summary

are edged with black. The females are similar in colouration. They superficially look very similar to the Redfin Blue Eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis). Eggs are orange-red in colour.

Etymology

The species name is Latin for netted or reticulate, referring to the net-like appearance of its scales, each edged with black.

Etymology compiled from C. Scharpf (2024), “Fishes of Sahul: an Etymological Survey (Part 7), Pseudomugilidae and Telmatherinidae”, Fishes of Sahul 38(2): 2176–2189, and etyfish.org.

Distribution & Habitat

Currently known only from the Ajamaru Lakes region in Vogelkop Peninsula, Irian Jaya. Previous records of this species from elsewhere in New Guinea are in error. They were collected about two kilometres east of Ajamaru Lake in the centre of the Vogelkop Peninsula. The lakes are located at the headwaters of the Ajamaru River which drains into the Kais River, eventually flowing into the Ceram Sea to the south. Habitat variable, relatively clear shallow water, with abundant vegetation. The lakes and streams are alkaline with pH always slightly above neutral (7.1–7.6). Water temperate about 24–28°C.

Remarks

Live specimen were collected by Heiko Bleher in 1998. However, they are rarely seen in the retail aquarium trade and are mainly kept by a few aquarists who are principally interested in rainbowfishes.

References

Allen G.R. & W. Ivantsoff (1986) Deux nouvelles espèces de blue-eyes (Pseudomugil: Melanotaeniidae) de Nouvelle-Guinée. Revue française d'Aquariologie 12(3): 85-88.
Allen G.R. (1991) Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Allen G.R., K. Hortle and S. Renyaan (2000) Freshwater Fishes of the Timika Region, New Guinea. P.T. Freeport Indonesia, Timika, Indonesia.
Burnett J.B., M. Davies and G. Taylor (2003) Flora and Fauna Survey of the Tangguh LNG Site, Papua Province, Indonesia. Joint report prepared by IPCA and P.T. Hatfindo Prima. Bogor: P.T. Hatfindo Prima.
Ivantsoff W., Aarn, M.A. Shepherd and G.R. Allen (1997) Pseudomugil reticulatus (Pisces: Pseudomugilidae), a review of the species described from a single specimen from Vogelkop Peninsula, Irian Jaya, with further evaluation of the systematics of Atherinoidea. Aqua Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 2(4): 53-64.
Saeed B., W. Ivantsoff, and G.R. Allen (1989) Taxonomic revision of the family Pseudomugilidae (Order Atheriniformes). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 719-787.