Paradise Fish
Macropodus opercularis
Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 10 cm. It needs at least 80 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
16 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 8
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
10 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
5 - 20 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
95 - 400 ppm
Conductivité
148 - 625 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Macropodus opercularis; the verified classification records genus Macropodus, family Osphronemidae, subfamily Macropodusinae, order Anabantiformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Paradise Fish is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Paradise Fish needs an aquarium of at least 80 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 16–26 °C, pH 6–8. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “bubble-nest building”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Cosmopolite ou introduitAsie du Sud et du Sud-EstAsie de l'Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Territorial
- Paradise Fish has a generally territorial temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- This species is an omnivorous micro-predator that eagerly accepts a wide variety of foods in captivity. Their diet should consist of high-quality flakes or pellets supplemented with live or frozen foods. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia are excellent choices to enhance their vibrant coloration. They will also graze on small insects at the water surface.
- Espérance de vie
- 4-8 years
- Taille adulte
- 10 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- Paradise Fish is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Feeding them once or twice a day with an amount they can consume within a few minutes is ideal. Overfeeding can lead to water quality issues and obesity in these enthusiastic eaters. It is beneficial to offer a fast day once a week to help clear their digestive system. A varied feeding schedule ensures they receive all necessary nutrients.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- The Paradise Fish produces a moderate bioload that is easily managed by standard filtration. Regular maintenance and partial water changes are essential to keep parameters stable. They are relatively hardy but will not tolerate poor water conditions for extended periods. A properly cycled aquarium is necessary to process their waste efficiently.
- Courant
- Strong
- They prefer areas of slow-moving or stagnant water, reflecting their natural habitat in rice paddies and ditches. Strong currents from heavy filtration can stress them and impede their ability to build bubble nests. Baffling the filter output or using sponge filters creates the ideal gentle flow environment. Dense vegetation can also help break up unwanted water movement.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- They are known to be excellent jumpers, particularly when hunting insects near the surface. A secure and tight-fitting aquarium lid is mandatory to prevent them from leaping to their demise. They can surprisingly jump through very small gaps around filters and heaters. Keeping the water level slightly lower can provide an extra margin of safety.
- Reproduction
- Bubble nest builder
- They are prolific bubble nesters, with the male constructing a nest of mucous-coated bubbles at the surface. During spawning, the male wraps around the female, and eggs are released and placed into the nest. The male intensely guards the nest and fry, often becoming extremely aggressive towards any intruders. Once the fry become free-swimming, the male should be removed to prevent cannibalism.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- They are primarily top-dwelling fish, spending the majority of their time near the water surface. As labyrinth fish, they must frequently gulp atmospheric air to supplement their oxygen intake. Floating plants are highly appreciated and provide cover that makes them feel secure. They will occasionally venture into the mid-levels to forage or patrol their territory.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,8 ± 0,55 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.502
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01288, b = 2.97
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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