{"product_id":"apricot-paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","title":"Apricot Paradise Fish | Macropodus opercularis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Apricot Paradise Fish is a warm, golden-apricot form of the classic Paradise Fish, softer in colour but every bit as tough. One of the oldest ornamental fish in the hobby, it is hardy, striking and full of character, but males are feisty and territorial, so tankmates need choosing with care. It reaches around 10 cm and even tolerates unheated rooms.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMacropodus opercularis is native to East Asia, across China, Taiwan, Vietnam and neighbouring areas, where it lives in shallow, sluggish and often cool waters such as rice paddies, ditches and ponds. As a labyrinth fish it breathes air from the surface and copes with low-oxygen, seasonally cool water. Dense planting and a secure lid suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe wild form is famous for alternating red and blue-green bars; the Apricot form replaces these with a warm, soft apricot-gold body and paler finnage. Males are larger and more intensely coloured with longer, flowing fins and pointed tails, especially when displaying. Colour deepens with maturity, good diet and a settled tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful when young but increasingly territorial and semi-aggressive as it matures. Males will fight one another and may harass or eat much smaller fish, and can be nippy toward long-finned species. Keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is large and well planted, and choose robust, similarly sized tankmates that are neither timid nor delicate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn adaptable omnivore that takes quality flake and pellets readily, and relishes frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps colour and condition high. It will also happily hunt small live foods and insect larvae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 80 L, with more space for males or a community. It is very adaptable: temperature 16–26 °C (it can be kept unheated in temperate rooms), pH 6.0–8.0 and soft to hard water, around GH 5–20. Provide dense planting, hiding spots and a secure lid, as it can jump and gulps air from the surface. Generally plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest breeder. The male builds a surface nest of bubbles, entices the female beneath it and wraps around her to spawn, then guards the eggs and fry. Breeding is achievable in a separate tank; the male tends the nest, and the female is best removed after spawning to avoid harassment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMacropodus opercularis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApricot Paradise Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (China, Taiwan, Vietnam)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–7 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellets, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to hard, around 5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted community and coolwater aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include robust, similarly sized fish such as larger barbs, medium tetras, rainbowfish, peaceful cichlids and larger corydoras that are neither timid nor long-finned.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male paradise fish, other gouramis, very small or timid fish that may be eaten, and long-finned species such as guppies, bettas and fancy goldfish that invite nipping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232839614755,"sku":"AA2716","price":19.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232839647523,"sku":"AA2716-M","price":24.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Apricot_Paradise_Fish_b1eb8820-ac70-4ac4-80ce-53a14ebaaa4d.jpg?v=1781700331","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apricot-paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}