{"product_id":"paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","title":"Paradise Fish | Macropodus opercularis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOften called the original tropical aquarium fish, the Paradise Fish blazes with alternating red-and-blue bars and trails elegant, flowing fins. It is gorgeous and remarkably hardy — shrugging off cool water that would trouble most tropicals — but it is also bold and territorial, growing to around 7–10 cm. Best housed with robust, similarly-spirited tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to East Asia — including China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Korean peninsula — the Paradise Fish inhabits sluggish, often cool waters such as rice paddies, ditches, ponds and slow streams. These oxygen-poor, vegetated habitats are exactly why it evolved a labyrinth organ to breathe air from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA striking anabantoid with a pattern of vivid blue-green and orange-red vertical bars, a dark gill spot and long, pointed fins. Mature males are more intensely coloured with extended finnage, while females are shorter-finned and more subdued.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeautiful but feisty — the Paradise Fish can be semi-aggressive, especially males towards one another and towards smaller or long-finned fish. Keep only one male unless the tank is large and well planted, and choose sturdy tankmates that can hold their own. It may hunt very small fish and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn unfussy omnivore that leans carnivorous. Offer a good-quality flake or pellet as a staple, supplemented generously with frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae for the best colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery hardy and tolerant of a wide temperature range, from unheated rooms up to tropical warmth. As a labyrinth breather it must have access to the surface to gulp air, so leave a gap between the water and a secure lid, and keep the air above the water warm and humid. Provide plenty of planting and cover to break up sightlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest builder. The male constructs a raft of bubbles at the surface, entices the female beneath it, and then guards the eggs and fry aggressively. Breeding is straightforward, but the male may become highly territorial and should be separated from the female after spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMacropodus opercularis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParadise Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 7–10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; males territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (leans carnivore)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners; hardy community and unheated tanks with robust tankmates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — does not damage plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, similarly-sized fish such as larger barbs, medium rainbowfish, larger tetras and peaceful catfish. Avoid overcrowding and provide plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male paradise fish (unless in a large tank), long-finned or slow fish such as bettas and fancy guppies, very small fish and shrimp that may be eaten, and outright aggressive cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232839450915,"sku":"AA1412","price":16.98,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232839483683,"sku":"AA1412-M","price":21.98,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/paradise-fish-10266500104483-fl.webp?v=1790510293","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/paradise-fish-macropodus-opercularis","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}