Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis)

From The Aquarium Wiki

Contents 1 Additional names 1.1 Additional scientific names 2 Origin 3 Sexing 4 Tank compatibility 5 Diet 6 Feeding regime 7 Environment Specifics 8 Behaviour 9 Identification 10 Pictures 11 Special notes 12 References 13 External links

Additional names

Paradise Gourami, Paradise Fish, Blue Paradise Fish

Additional scientific names

Chaetodon chinensis, Labrus opercularis, Macropodus chinensis, Macropodus ctenopsoides

Origin

The Paradise Fish originates in Asia and was frequently found in rice paddies and ditches.

Sexing

Males have longer fins and more colour.

Tank compatibility

Tank mates should be considered carefully however. These fish are aggressive and are best kept with similar sized fast moving fish, slow moving fish or fish with long fins are likely to be attacked and injured. Only keep one male Paradise Fish to a tank, ideally they're best in species tanks rather than communities.

Diet

As this animal is a carnivore, it requires a meaty diet. A high protein food must be used (eg. Tropical Flake Food, gel or pellet as opposed to most goldfish food). It will eat small tetra fish, fry and shrimp, supplement with food such as bloodworm and daphnia.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

The Paradise Fish exceptionally hardy. It was the first 'tropical' fish to be introduced into Europe and the UK in the 19th Century.

The Paradise Fish naturally exists in rice paddies and ditches in Asia, where the temperature and evaporated oxygen varies, often to extremes. Due to their ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and their labyrinth organ they can thrive in such environments. They can live in "sub-tropical" tank environments, however, regularly fluctuating temperatures can be detrimental to their health.

Behaviour

An aggressive fish, not suited to the community tank. Does well in a species-only tank with low water flow (simulating their natural environment).

It can survive (and even breed) in a pond outside year round if the temperature doesn't fall below 15°C (59°F) , yet does equally well in an indoor tropical or coldwater tank. The fish is intelligent, often associating it's owner with food and pacing the tank begging for food when it can see you. Some have even been known to jump out of the tank to grab food from a person's hand.

An interesting occasional 'trick' to show visitors is to place a small mirror in front of the tank if you have a male. On seeing the rival male the fish will go into display mode. It's gill covers will come out to make itself look larger and its body colouring will visibly deepen and intensive within a minute.

Identification

Paradise Fish are exceptionally attractive fish which give them their common name. They have a forked caudal fin, which is elongated in males, as are the dorsal and anal fins. The colouration varies, generally the males are more vibrant, and coloured turquoise-grey to green-brown on the head and back. The body colour is dull turquoise with numerous vertical orange stripes. The gill cover and caudal peduncle are also marked with orange. The caudal fin has an orange and turquoise marbling, while the other fins are light blue. Some colour variations are available such as albino.

Pictures

A group of Paradise Fish

Blue Paradise Fish

Blue Paradise Fish

Paradise Fish Pair

Special notes

The Macropodus opercularis concolor version (Black Paradise Fish) is reputed to be more sensitive to water temperature and should be kept around 10-12°C (50-53.6°F) in winter and 22-25°C (71.6-77°F) or it will develop disease like tuberculosis.^[1]

References

1. ↑ Black Paradise Fish environment

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Aquahobby
• Wikipedia
• Mongabay
• Profile & Video