SKU: 63086371327

Pseudomugil Mellis Honey Blue Eyes 3cm

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Description

Pseudomugil Mellis Honey Blue Eyes 3cmHoney Blue eye Species Summary Pseudomugil mellis is a small freshwater species endemic to Australia. They have a moderately compressed and elongated body; usually not exceeding 40 mm, but are more commonly found at lengths between 25 and 30 mm. Males are honey coloured with the first two rays of the dorsal and anal fins black with creamy brown centres and outer white margins. The body scales are lightly edged with black forming an attractive

Honey Blue-eye

Species Summary

Pseudomugil mellis is a small freshwater species endemic to Australia. They have a moderately compressed and elongated body; usually not exceeding 40 mm, but are more commonly found at lengths between 25 and 30 mm. Males are honey-coloured with the first two rays of the dorsal and anal fins black with creamy-brown centres and outer white margins. The body scales are lightly edged with black forming an attractive latticework pattern. They have two dorsal fins, separated by a small gap, the first much smaller than the second. Males are easily distinguished from females by their brighter colours and longer and more elongated dorsal fins. Females and juveniles have a plain light-amber coloured body with small unmarked translucent fins. Pseudomugil mellis was formally described by Gerald Allen and Walter Ivantsoff in 1982.

Distribution & Habitat
Pseudomugil mellis have a patchy and restricted distribution in southern Queensland, extending from about 65 km north of Brisbane to Maryborough, including Fraser Island. The oligotrophic freshwater wetlands of Shoalwater Bay are the northernmost known habitat of Pseudomugil mellis, having been collected at the northern end of Dismal Swamp (Trnski et al. 1993). Although their range has been severely reduced, they are currently known from about 30 locations on both the mainland and Fraser Island. It is still relatively abundant in the Noosa River catchment and Fraser Island localities. Pseudomugil mellis is known to co-occur with Pseudomugil signifer in Lake Wabby and Bool Creek on Fraser Island, and Schnapper Creek and Big Tuan Creek on the mainland. Big Tuan Creek is a small coastal creek about 5 km south from the mouth of the Mary River. Most populations are totally isolated from one another.

The former distribution of P. mellis may well have extended from Woodgate in central Queensland extending southwards to the Myall Lakes, in the northern coast region of New South Wales, including the offshore sand islands. This range has been fragmented by residential development, forestry plantations and agriculture. Most existing locations have been similarly affected by changes within their catchments. While a number of suitable habitat streams still exist in the region between Brisbane and Noosa, it is likely that most will show substantial differences in water chemistry in comparison to similar undisturbed streams. Its abundance within this area has been drastically reduced and it now only occurs as a number of isolated populations where there is suitable remaining habitat. Its continued existence is being threatened by continuing urban development and the spread of the introduced mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki).

Pseudomugil mellis are typically found in slightly acidic and tannin-stained water in coastal heathland (wallum) swamps and streams. Wallum is a restricted region and hence any species of fauna confined to it are restricted in their distribution. However, they can also be found in clear water habitats. They inhabit freshwater dune lakes, creeks, swampy areas and wetlands. These waterbodies are characterised by low pH (4.4 to 6.8), and very low dissolved mineral salts. The first time I collected this species from the wild I recorded a water hardness of 10 mg/L CaCO3, pH 5.8, and conductivity 170 µS/cm. They can tolerate wide fluctuations in stream temperature, from 11°C in winter to 38°C in summer. They usually occur where there is little or no flow over sandy or muddy substrates with abundant emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation. The presence of aquatic vegetation appears to be essential for this species for shelter, foraging, spawning and the growth of larvae and fry. They may occur with Rhadinocentrus ornatus, Nannoperca oxleyana, Melanotaenia duboulayi and other small bodied native fishes.

Reproductive Biology
The reproductive biology of Pseudomugil mellis has been well documented from studies of wild populations and from specimens maintained in captivity. The following summarises much of that information:

In their natural habitat females ready to release eggs have been found from September to January. Spent fish (examination of the ovaries indicates that only a small percentage of eggs are sufficiently developed to the stage at which they are able to be fertilised) have been collected from November to April. The number of spent males and females was found to be highest in January. This indicates that Pseudomugil mellis begin to spawn in the wild as early as September/October and that most members of the population have ceased to spawn by January/February. Spawning in the wild occurs at temperatures in the range of 26-28°C. Females spawn at around 17-22 mm in size with the larger females producing more eggs than smaller females.

The small maturation size and the use of batch spawning over successive days were considered to be reasons for the successful recruitment of this species in the wild. Recruitment is further maximised by several mechanisms that decrease predation: territorial defence of the spawning site by the male, direct pairing with a short courtship, and larvae that swim at the surface and seek cover in the meniscus of floating objects when predators attack.

In captivity, males exhibit territorial behaviour guarding the spawning site from intruding conspecifics. Prespawning behaviour is initiated adjacent to the spawning site by the male raising his fins and swimming in a zigzag pattern to block the female's retreat. Spawning usually occurs in late morning and early afternoon with the female entering the spawning site first, followed by the male. After spawning, the male will continue to display, defending his territory and thus the fertilised eggs. Spawning usually commences at around 10-12 months of age when water temperatures exceed 20°C and the fish are about 20 mm in size. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with adult males having larger and more colourful dorsal and anal fins. Males develop black and white fin marking with a golden bronze sheen to the body when displaying.

Females spawn 1-15 eggs each day for about 7-9 days, with 1 to 4 eggs at a time being released amongst aquatic vegetation or spawning mops. A total of 42-125 eggs can be released over that period. Eggs are demersal, adhesive and attached to aquatic plants or spawning mop. After spawning females rest for 4-9 days, during which time they formed schools. Water hardened eggs range from 1.29-1.64 mm in diameter, probably depending on the size of the female and have adhesive tendrils or filaments to attach them to the spawning site. Eggs hatch 12-14 days (288-336 hours) after fertilisation at a constant water temperature of 24°C. At slightly elevated water temperatures of 25-27°C eggs hatched between 5 and 8 days (112-190 hours). Larvae are around 3.60-5.00 mm SL at hatching and begin feeding at the surface after absorption of the yolk and oil droplets (3-80 hours after hatching). Juveniles feed mid-water or from benthic surfaces.

The secret in maintaining long-term captive populations of Pseudomugil mellis is to constantly breed them. There is a reduction in the frequency and intensity of spawning activity in fish over one year of age. If you fail to notice the change they become too old and then you just lose them. Try to obtain young specimens and breed them early and regularly and you will always have some around to enjoy. Because each female only lays a few eggs each day, it can take a while before you have significant numbers. If possible, start with 6-10 juveniles rather than adults pairs. They are easy to maintain under standard aquarium conditions and will develop on standard commercial fish foods. Mature fish can be easily set up and induced to spawn by manipulation of water temperature and photoperiod throughout the year. When maintained under appropriate aquarium conditions, survival rates above 90% can be attained.


Remarks
Pseudomugil mellis currently has a conservation status listing as vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland): December 2014). You can do your part in helping to preserve this species and their natural habitat by breeding and maintaining captive populations. Collecting wild specimens for the hobby can have a direct impact on their population numbers to the extent that they could become locally extinct. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find them at the popular spots in Tin Can Bay. We know that their populations undergo large fluctuations associated with seasonal recruitment and if they are over-collected during a period of low population numbers, they may never recover and we could well see them disappear from that location. Habitat destruction or alteration in some areas has also favoured the spread of the aquatic terrorist, Gambusia holbrooki.

From:

https://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Mellis.htm

Reference of Photo: Gunther Schmida

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Eddie C.
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 1
SAVE YOUR MONEY, THESE ARE UTTER GARBAGE UNLESS YOUR DOG HAS NO TEETH (MAYBE)!!
Size: Large, Product Packaging: Standard Packaging, Size: Large, Product Packaging: Standard Packaging
For all those purchasers who are posting videos of these toys while talking about how great they are and how long they have lasted at your house, would you mind disclosing the breed and age of your dog(s) that play with them? I only ask because I am finding these "positive" reviews REALLY hard to believe now that I have firsthand knowledge that, as a chew toy, this thing completely sucks. Based upon personal experience and the physical and photographic evidence, your dog might be an OBSESSIVE chewer, but they are most assuredly NOT a "power" chewer. If they were, you would almost certainly be posting reviews saying that this toy is utter crap, just like I'm having to do now. After many years of experience using Kong brand toys, the idea that this toy is the "most durable" Kong toy is just ridiculous, and blatant false advertising in my opinion. It took three of my dogs (a 5 year-old Boxer/Pit Bull mix (2nd pic) I'm fostering and two one year old border collie puppies) all of five minutes to completely shred FOUR of these toys straight out of the delivery box. I was the proud owner of four of these things for all of five frickin' minutes out of the box. Meanwhile, it previously took the Boxer/Pit almost two years to destroy two medium-sized Kong "snowman" shaped toys, and even then he wasn't able to shred them anywhere near to this degree. And believe me, he actually *IS* a true "power" chewer, as after raising and training dogs for over 50 years, I have never seen a dog completely break that type of Kong chew toy. As an aside, Kong (the company) appears to take crappy product claims only by means of printed hard copy sent via the U.S mail, so no immediate relief for your wasted expenditure on their products will soon be forthcoming. How many modern companies do you know of that don't allow some sort of online contact for product claims, even if it's just an email address? So I might very well have to reconsider whose products I am willing to spend my all-too hard earned money on. That said, those three dogs are all now outside throwing up chunks of these crappy toys that they swallowed while tearing them to pieces, and which I now find myself hoping really are non-toxic!! The regular "snowman" shaped Kong toys are MUCH more durable than these things are. Had I known that beforehand, I would have spent my money accordingly. The picture I posted is the last remaining toy out of the four I ordered, and I most certainly want my money back (wish me luck)!! This toy is a complete WASTE of your money for any dog that is bigger than an aged chihuahua or that actually has teeth, so I suggest that you DO NOT purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2024
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kiing_alysha
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
The same magic as the extreme chewer Kong cone!
Size: Large, Product Packaging: Standard Packaging
My lab hound mix LOVES this tire as much as he loves his extreme chewer Kong cones (we bought three of those!). He hasn't been able to cause any damage at all in the week or so that he's had it. We are always excited to find toys that he can't break! We're ordering a second tire for upstairs!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
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Kate W
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great training tool
I bought this for my working line GSD for training. It’s awesome. The rope isn’t too long to handle during training sessions but still long enough I don’t lose a finger when paying out. The Kong holds up well, as expected. The only concern I would have for anyone would be the integrity of the rope on a heavy chewed which is the reason for the 4/5 star review. If used as a freely available toy left unattended with a moderate to heavy chewer the rope wouldn’t last very long. But I do love it!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021
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Roseann Ramsey
Boise, US
★★★★★ 1
Rope is cheap..
Rope is cheap. Knots came undone within 4 throws to my 7 month old puppy. I expected better quality from Kong brand
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
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Lee Hayes
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Good dog toy
Built well and durable. Quiet you as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026

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