{"product_id":"blue-paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","title":"Blue Paradise Fish | Macropodus opercularis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Paradise Fish is a stunning, tough labyrinth fish banded in red and blue, and one of the first tropical fish ever kept by hobbyists. Remarkably cold-tolerant, it shrugs off temperatures that would floor most tropicals. Beautiful but feisty, it is a bold centrepiece for a keeper who chooses its tankmates with care. It reaches around 10 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMacropodus opercularis is native to East Asia — southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam and neighbouring regions — where it lives in still and slow-moving waters such as rice paddies, ditches, ponds and marshes. These warm-to-cool, oxygen-poor waters are why it, like the betta, breathes air at the surface through a labyrinth organ.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied gourami relative marked with alternating bands of red and blue, flowing fins and a bright operculum spot. Males are larger, more intensely coloured and carry longer, more pointed finnage than the plumper females.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHandsome but genuinely feisty — males are territorial and can be aggressive towards each other and towards small or long-finned fish. Keep only one male, choose robust tankmates of similar size, and avoid slow or delicate species. It can be kept in an unheated indoor tank in many climates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn unfussy omnivore, the Paradise Fish takes quality flake and pellet readily and relishes live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. A varied diet keeps its colours strong.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs a labyrinth breather it must reach the surface for air, so keep a lid with a warm air gap above the water. Remarkably adaptable, it tolerates 10–26 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and soft to hard water, making it suitable for unheated tanks in temperate homes. A planted tank of 80 L or more with cover and broken sight lines suits it best. Generally plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike the betta, the Paradise Fish is a bubble-nest builder. The male constructs a floating nest, embraces the female beneath it and then guards the eggs and fry alone while the female is removed. He can be very aggressive during breeding, so watch pairs closely.\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\u003eParadise Fish (Blue)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (southern 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\u003e6–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner (with careful tankmate choice)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellet, live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–26 °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 5–25 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\u003eUnheated or tropical tanks with robust tankmates\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, rainbowfish, medium tetras, and peaceful bottom-dwellers like larger corydoras or bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male paradise fish, bettas, small or long-finned fish, shrimp, and slow or delicate species that may be bullied or nipped.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232838926627,"sku":"AA1735","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232838959395,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Paradise_Fish_0020231e-b104-4a81-a3d5-bbc80685697e.jpg?v=1781700333","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}