Norton Aquatics: Content / Labarynth-fishes / Blue Paradisefish

Blue Paradisefish - Macropodus opercularis

Introduced into the hobby in 1896, this highly adaptable fish is suitable for the beginner and makes an excellent community fish.

Commonly found in Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea and China in everything from stagnant ditches to large lakes.

Image Copyright Hans Reinhard (Hermes House).

This beautiful and highly underrated gourami is perfect for the small or medium sized community aquarium. There have been insatnces where these fish have completely dominated small community aquariums and even attempts to bully the shyer and more reclusive tank mates. If kept in a community aquarium, its tank-mates should be of similar temperament. It is a highly adaptable creature, being able to comfortably survive in filthy water and in water temperatures from 17 - 30 degrees C.

It can be kept in a single species aquarium with a single male to three females. If the tank is densely planted and has some floating plants, it will readily spawn. Be carefull to add plenty of hiding space as the male becomes aggresive towards females after spawning has taken place.

It is the perfect beginners fish for a small, unheated aquarium and as a single specimen as it only grows to 10cm (4") and will eat anything that it gets offerred.

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