Qty in Tank:
3 Male, 2 Female ?
Common Name:
Paradise Fish
Latin Name:
Macropodus opercularis
Region of Origin:
China and Taiwan
Family:
Anabantids
Current (maximum) size, in:
4 in
Feeding Vigor:
Active feeder, not nasty.
Bioload Impact:
Negligible
Aggression Level:
Pugnacious if not aggressive, but generally only to other Paradise Fish and to a lesser extent otherAnabantids.
Tank Role:
These guys are attractive, colorful fish with mood and attitude.
Sexing:
It is said that "males are brighter colored with longer fins" but that is only useful in groups of similarly aged fry kept in similar conditions. I use their actions to determine sex.
Breeding:
Breeding easy, raising young requires work and tank space. I spawned a pair thrice on 3 tries, raising est 70 fry to "giveaway" size of 1" successfully on one spawn.
Good Characteristics:
Forall their interspecial bluffing and the associated color rushes which usually accompany male aggression, these fish really do no harm. I love them. Raise a batch from 1" size. I had 4 <1" fry survive krib, angel and shark. They are now my favorites. I also purchased a 5th Paradise fish of unusual color.
Bad Characteristics:
None.
Special Characteristics:
None.
History:
Due to it's extreme hardiness, this was the first asian tropical fish in Europe. I forget where I read that...
Now that is not a typical Paradise Fish.
Additional Research
Most books cover this fish well, but I generally think the manner in which Paradise Fish are called aggressive, or even mildly aggressive, is uncalled for.
I would recommend buying a batch of 4-6 ea. 1" fry. I got mine at Wal-Mart. These fish are not the same as in my fish log, which have all since passed on.
I have an unusual colorred paradise fish that I will show.
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