The Padradise Fish is a member of the Gourami Family ; they can be found in Vietnam, Yangtze river of China and Taiwan. Paradise fish is one of the very first ornamental fish available to the western fish keepers during the 18th century. Like Betta Splendis, Paradise fish are very aggressive and territorial so they should not be kept with any other Paradise fish in the same tank  if the tank is not big enough.

Genus : Macropodus

Species : M.opercularis

Difficulty : Beginner

Availability : uncommon

Life span : 4-6years or more

Origin : Asia

Picture credits to: http://aquaticmag.com/freshwater/paradise-fish-information/

The Terrorist in the Tank

Paradise fish is quite combative among all the other fishes in their size, and has the potential of killing any fishes smaller than them. During a fight, the paradise fish will often change its color, usually displaying dark blue lateral lines on the sides of their bodies, extend their fins to the full size and flare at the enemy, like the Betta fish. Paradise fish are more likely to show aggressive behavior towards other Paradise fish and other members of the Gourami Family than other fishes. The Paradise fish is probably the most aggressive member of the aggressive Gourami Family; they can be say as the butcher of fighters. They can easily outmatch Betta or any other members of the Gourami except for the Giant Gourami, because they just so big. Paradise Fish are likely to dissipate any fishes smaller than 3cm that gets in their way, so it is best to not get any fish smaller than the Paradise fish itself if you were to place them in a community tank.

Some bits about the Paradise Fish

Size

Paradise fish can grow as long as 7-8cm although most are between 5-6cm.

Lifespan

The Paradise fish can live up to 8 years under proper care, but mostly can only live up to 4-6 years.

Labyrinth Organ

Like other members of the Gourami family, the Dwarf Gourami have a Labyrinth organ which helps them breath in atmospheric oxygen in murky or low oxygen level waters. The Dwarf Gourami developed this from the harsh environment in their nature.

Pelvic Fin

Like the Gourami, the Paradise fish too has a pair of pelvic fin. Pelvic fins are needle like fins which the Paradise fish use to navigate and detect objects in murky water. If you found one of Paradise fish has unequal length pelvic fins, they might be just born in that way it is not that the fins are damage and if the fin is really damaged, don’t worry it will heal overtime.

Variation

credits to: http://aquaticmag.com/freshwater/paradise-fish-information/

credits to: paradisefishcn

credits to: Wikipedia

credits to: http://aquaticmag.com/freshwater/paradise-fish-information/

 

Water Parameters & Ideal Tank Conditions

Water Parameters

Temperature: 10-27

pH: 6-8

Description

Because the Paradise can tolerate such large water parameters and they have a Labyrinth Organ, heater and oxygen pump is not required in the tank. Good tank mates for Paradise fish are Oscar, Giant Gourami, large but not aggressive Cichlids and Pleco.

If Paradise fish is put in the same tank as the other Paradise fish, the tank has to be 20 gallon++, otherwise they will fight and pick each other, this is unhealthy for them therefore don’t put 2 Paradise fish in the same tank if you haven’t got a big tank. Paradise fish will also bully freshwater Angel fish so Angel fish and Paradise fish together is a no no.

Diet

In captivity, Paradise fish can be fed with pellets and frozen food such as brine shrimp and bloomworms. Be sure to provide them a variety of high protein food. You can also try feeding them with cucumber, cucumber helps them in digesting food because it contains Fibre.

 

Feature Image credits to:

http://aquaticmag.com/freshwater/paradise-fish-information/