| Pacific blue-eye | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Genus: | Pseudomugil |
| Species: | P. signifer
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudomugil signifer Kner, 1866
| |
| |
| subspecies signifer (dark blue) subspecies signata (light blue) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Atherina signata Günther, 1867 | |
The Pacific blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) is a species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae native to eastern Australia. Described by Austrian naturalist Rudolf Kner in 1866, it comprises two subspecies that have been regarded as separate species in the past and may be once again with further study. It is a common fish of rivers and estuaries along the eastern seaboard from Cape York in North Queensland to southern New South Wales, the Burdekin Gap in central-north Queensland dividing the ranges of the two subspecies.
A small silvery fish averaging around 3.25 cm in total length (1+1⁄8–1+3⁄8 in), the Pacific blue-eye is recognisable by its blue eye-ring and two dorsal fins. It forms loose schools of tens to thousands of individuals. It eats water-borne insects as well as flying insects that land on the water's surface, foraging for them by sight. The Pacific blue-eye adapts readily to captivity.
- ^ Butler, G.; Brooks, S. (2019). "Pseudomugil signifer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T123358376A123382746. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T123358376A123382746.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.