Characteristics , Origin , and Helpful Information for hobbyist
The Spruce / Thomas Reich
Many say thatgoldfishare the first - ever favored fish as there are records dating back 500 to 2,000 geezerhood . However , when you are talking about the first mintage of fish expose in aquariums , circa the mid-1800s , paradise Pisces were the vicious lulu that made the tropic fresh water fish - keeping sideline catch on and take detainment as a democratic pastime . This Pisces the Fishes is still among the most glamorous - looking but tight - playing of all species found in the freshwater aquarium hobby .
Credit:The Spruce / Thomas Reich
Species Overview
Common Names : Blue heaven fish , paradise gourami , blue paradise gourami
Scientific Name : Macropodus opercularis
Adult Size:4 inches
liveliness Expectancy:6 to 8 long time
Characteristics
Origin and Distribution
This paradise fish is found across a considerably wide range of southeast Asia . In China , it is found from the east in the Yangtze River washbowl to the Pearl River basin , in Hong Kong , and on Hainan Island . It also occur in Taiwan , northerly and central Vietnam , northeastern Laos , Cambodia , Malaysia , Japan , the Ryukyu Islands , and Korea . It has also been introduced outside of its native reach , with population also find in Madagascar and the United States .
There has been much debate and much written , in both scientific and hobby journals . The contention revolves around whether or not the Pisces the Fishes in the hobbyist tankful today is still the same species as the one that exists in the wilderness ; the risky viability of the captive - breed Pisces remains a question . Though data is inconclusive , it seems that the common variety show of the fish we hump in tanks today is much the same as the fish that swims in the Timothy Miles Bindon Rice fields in Asia .
Colors and Markings
Three separate species are all referred to conjointly as the nirvana Pisces the Fishes that are commonly kept in the home aquarium . They look very similar to each other but are distinct by the bod of their white tie and tails . Macropodus opercularishas a forked tail;Macropodus chinensishas a rounded rear end ; andMacropodus cupanushas a pointed tail with several rays expand from its middle .
All three mintage are ring with band of vivid color , which seem different accord to the slant of the visible light pass upon it . These bands are blue or green tack with orange or red . There are also numerous small dots of smutty or metal bluing scattered over the consistence of the fish . In all three metal money , the ventral pentad are always orange .
In incarceration , there are two genetically engineer assortment . There is an albino change , called thealbino macropodus , which was engineer by a commercial-grade breeder in Germany in 1933 . It has pink center and white , pink , and downcast stripe . The other strain is a dour variety call the “ concolor ” variety .
Tankmates
In a biotic community setting , Macropodusneeds to be the prevalent coinage . It should not be kept with other full-bodied Pisces the Fishes that may make a challenge , as it will push with other dominant Pisces . However , if the others are larger and aggressiveMacropoduswill blot out and often succumb to accent .
untested paradise fish can be continue in groups , but as they mature the males become combative with other males ; any pocket-sized male can be attack . male person mostly do not get along together unless the tank is very large with lots of decor for concealing and retreat .
Males that are not preserve aside will engage in aggressive combat , locking jaws , and for good damage one another . If keeping a small motley group , it is necessary to keep only one male person and distaff as a couple in their own tank . When females are new and not territorial , sometimes it is possible to keep a chemical group of females together .
A mixture of neutral personality Pisces that are not similar in body shape is the ideal goal for any potential tank mates . Be thrifty in natural selection , and be inclined to adjust companions whenever a change is call for .
Good tankmates can be larger fish such as goldfish as well as non - strong-growing mass medium to large gouramis , robust cyprinoid coinage , declamatory characin fish , eartheater typeGeophaguscichlids , Loricariidcatfish from South America , largeSynodontiscatfish , and large loaches . Avoid domiciliate them with any slow - swim fish or angle with long flow fin .
Warning
Paradise fish are not dependable tank mate with fish their size . In fact , they are downright nasty , rend at tails and sometimes killing other little fish even of their own sort . Similar tobettasin disposition , paradise fish are belligerent and predatory . They favour to be alone but will take some other mintage of fish as long as they are a in force deal magnanimous and non - aggressive .
Paradise Fish Habitat and Care
The paradise Pisces is very adaptable and can correct toalmost any water condition . The sizing of the aquarium for a juvenile should be at least 20 gallon . On the opposite destruction of the spectrum , your aquarium can be a 5000 - gallon backyard pool full of koi . These fish can deal a wide variety of temperature fluctuation from the weather , but live flora are always a must in any environs housing paradise Pisces the Fishes .
Paradise Fish Diet and Feeding
Paradise Pisces the Fishes are omnivores that will take most solid food . However , they require a well - equilibrate diet to remain healthy . In the wild , these predators feast on small fish and minor aquatic animal like invertebrates . In apond , they will greedily eat both mosquito larva and any vegetable matter that pass to fall into the pond .
In an indoor aquarium , feed once or twice a day and feed munificently . alga - free-base scrap food for thought are essential , in accession to meaty foods . Feed lowly lively foods whenever possible . supplement should admit white insect , blood worm , and brine shrimp .
Gender Differences
Male heaven fish are big than female person and have smart and strong color patterns . Their fins are also long and larger than females . All three species of paradise fish are ring with stripes of vivid coloring material , but all of these bar are also hormonally escalate in the male during suit .
Breeding the Paradise Fish
Breeding this metal money is not difficult . For conditioning breeder , alive solid food are recommend , as well as high - quality alga - based flake or shot solid food . Note that it is important to give the female heartily and well in advance of attempting to spawn her , as she will turn away food for up to two weeks while she is holding orchis .
Keep the male and female in a separate environment with small offerings of alive and frozen solid food several times a day . When well - feed , females should begin fill up out with testis , appearing very plump . female not yet quick for egg - laying should be kept forth from breeder male as males have a nasty disposition and may mutilate or even kill their intended female .
Like most Pisces the Fishes in the labyrinth fish family , paradise fish are bubble nest builders . The male person build a bubble nest , woos a female , and then defends the nest to the decease . Frequently , male build up their nests beneath a leaf . After spawning , the female should be remove from the tankful or you again risk the female being killed by the male person .
To breed paradise fish , place them in a separate breeding tank about 20 Imperial gallon in size . It should be set up with the pee at a very low-down level , only about 6 to 8 inches . When the fry have easy access to the gentle wind above , the labyrinth organ in the youngster can uprise normally . Normal water alchemy argument are o.k. but raise the temperature to between 80 to 84 stage Fahrenheit . you could tot up a humble tune - powered sponge filter or some peat filtration , but the tank current should be minimal .
hatch time varies with temperature . Generally , the fry will come forth between 30 and 50 hours , but they can take up to 96 minute . When ward the nest , the male person will not eat . But once he does begin to wipe out food , the male person should be take out as he might exhaust the fry that go forth from the nest . For the health of the male , give him in topographic point as a dutiful guard for as long as he requires . This way , his protective hormones will subside naturally ; removing him too early will be an unneeded challenge to his health .
More Pet Fish Species and Further Research
If paradise Pisces the Fishes appeal to you , and you are interested in similar fish for your aquarium , crack out :
Check out additional fish metal money profiles for more information on otherfreshwaterfish .
