Forktail Rainbow Fish (Pseudomugil Furcatus)

Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus)

Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus) are one of the most underrated small rainbowfish in the hobby. They stay relatively small, are constantly active, and have a unique look with bright yellow fins and a forked tail that stands out in planted aquariums. In a healthy group, they bring nonstop movement and display behavior without the size demands of larger rainbowfish.

At Legacy Line Aquatics, these fish are bred and raised in-house by me in a small-scale, care-first setup. I do not source from mass-production fish farms. My focus is on raising healthy fish with clean water, proper nutrition, and attentive day-to-day care, so you receive fish I’d be confident keeping in my own fish room.

Why Hobbyists Love Forktail Rainbowfish

• Constant movement and active schooling/display behavior

• Beautiful yellow fins and distinctive forked tail

• Great small rainbowfish for planted community tanks

• Peaceful and enjoyable to watch in groups

• Excellent choice for hobbyists wanting rainbowfish in a smaller footprint

Temperament & Behavior

Forktails are active, social, and generally peaceful. They do best in groups and will display frequently, especially males. They are energetic fish and look best in setups with open swimming areas plus plants.

They do best in tanks with:

• Open swimming space

• Plants and structure around the edges

• Good oxygenation and gentle to moderate flow

• A secure lid

Tank Size (Recommended)

• 15 gallon minimum for a small group

• 20 gallon long preferred for better group behavior and display

• Best kept in groups of 6+ (more is better)

Water Temperature

• Ideal range: 75–80°F

• Stable temperature is more important than exact temperature

Tank Mates (Good Choices)

Best tank mates are peaceful fish that won’t nip fins or overwhelm them.

Good tank mates may include:

• Small peaceful rainbowfish species

• CPDs / emerald dwarf danios (in appropriate setups)

• Ember tetras and similar peaceful small schooling fish

• Corydoras (including smaller species)

• Peaceful shrimp/snails (setup-dependent)

Avoid:

• Fin-nippers

• Aggressive cichlids

• Large predatory fish

• Very boisterous species that outcompete them at feeding time

Feeding

Forktails do best on variety and smaller foods.

Recommended foods:

• High-quality micro pellets / small flakes

• Frozen foods (baby brine shrimp, cyclops, etc.)

• Live baby brine shrimp (excellent for conditioning and breeding response)

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

When you purchase from me, you’re getting fish that were bred and raised in-house, not mass-imported and flipped. I take a small-scale approach so I can focus on:

• Fish health

• Clean systems

• Proper feeding, mixture of high-quality sinking pellets, live baby brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and high-quality flakes.

• Parasite free

That matters, especially with small rainbowfish.

Shipping & Live Arrival

• Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk.

• Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA policy before ordering.