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Paradise Fish

Paradise Gourami

Family: OsphronemidaeMacropodus opercularisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Paradise Fish or Paradise Gourami is often referred to as the "founding fish of the hobby", being one of the first tropical fish imported to Europe and instrumental in popularizing freshwater fish keeping!

   Endowed with a rich and brilliant color pattern, the Paradise Fish is among the most glamorous in the freshwater fish hobby. They are quite hardy and of a good size. They are also surprisingly intelligent and curious, and make a very personable attractive aquarium inhabitant. Paradise Fish are a joy to keep if appropriate research and planning goes into their aquarium set-up, tank mates, and care.

   When picking out a Paradise fish, be sure to choose your stock carefully. A desire to breed these fish in the brightest coloration and to provide them in large quantities, has unfortunately led to a mass production of fish that are neither colorful nor healthy. The Paradise Fish you pick should be alert and enjoying moving about, a lethargic fish is not healthy and is unlikely to "recover".

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Macropodus opercularis Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Osphronemidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Paradise Fish inhabits streams, rice paddies and ditches in South East Asia. As they are very popular with aquarists, they have been transported throughout the world.

• Scientific Name: Macropodus opercularis
• Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups. If kept in a group make sure there are plenty of hiding places to keep one or more of the individuals from being bullied. Paradise fish, while they are not as aggressive as Bettas, it is advisable not to place two males together in the same aquarium.
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The Paradise Fish or Paradise Gourami has a stout elongated body and a forked tail fin. This fin becomes quite long on the males, up to an inch or two, extending into serrated filaments.They are quite colorful with a medley of reds and blues, blacks and whites. There are several color forms including black and albino.
   Like all other labyrinth fish, they can breath air generally gulping it at the water's surface. They have a special 'labyrinth organ' which acts like a lung which enables them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters.

• Maximum Size: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) - This fish will reach about 4 inches (10 cm), with the male's tails trailing on for an extra inch or two.

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Although the Paradise Fish are omnivores, they favor rich meaty foods. They will gladly eat foods designed for Bettas, but shouldn't be fed them exclusively. They enjoy exercising their predatory side on live foods.
     This fish as fairly hardy and will adapt to most aquarium conditions. They will do best in about a 20 gallon aquarium with gentle water circulation, and will enjoy some sturdy aquarium plants. The aquarium should be covered to prevent jumps.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Half of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Monthly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gal (19 L) - 5 gallons is suitable for a single male, however water conditions in a tank this small can be difficult to maintain. Twenty gallons is suitable for a group of females or a group of females with a male.
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
• Temperature: 61.0 - 78.0° F (16.1 - 25.6° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
• Range ph: 5.8-8.0
• Hardness Range: 5 - 30 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Weak - Will be uncomfortable with strong water currents.
• Water Region: All - Paradise Fish are often found living in tiny water bodies in nature, and so in the aquarium this environment is emulated. They will generally stake out about a few square feet of territory, all of which they will defend and inhabit.

Social Behaviors

   Paradise Fish are similar to Bettas in disposition, although slightly less extreme. Being both belligerent and predatory, it is difficult to select good tank mates for them. They really prefer to live alone, but will accept some other species of fish. Males have been kept successfully together in very large tanks, but generally don't get along. These fish probably do best in male/female pairs in their own tanks.
   Some people seem to believe this fish will peacefully share a bowl with a Betta, but there is no truth to this and can lead to disaster.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Aggressive - It is difficult to select appropriate tankmates and it is probably best to keep them in a species tank. Males are generally intolerant of each other. A single male can be housed alone or with a group of females.
• Compatible with:
  • Slow Swimmers & Eaters: (): Monitor - Gouramis can be quick at feeding time. Make sure any fish that are not so quick get fed if you are keeping them with gouramis.

Sex: Sexual differences

   Males are brighter with stronger color patterns. Their fins are longer and larger.

A Pair of Paradise Fish Photo © Animal-World

Breeding / Reproduction

   Like most fish in this family, the Paradise Fish are bubble nest builders. They will breed Betta style, employing a bubble nest which they will defend to the death. Males will build the nest and then corner the female into it. The pair will wrap around each other, spawn,  and leave the eggs to hatch. The male will care for them until maturity, and may even chase off the female after breeding. Fry will emerge in a few days and must be kept fed on microorganisms until they are able to eat crushed flakes.

   See the description of how to breed labyrinth fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

• Ease of Propagation: Easy

Availability

   The Paradise Fish is readily available in many pet stores, although quality fish can be difficult to obtain. They are also offered by some online retailers. Males are easier to find than females. Cost can be anywhere from $3 - $15 USD.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: "Yvonne"
Additional Information: Clarice Brough. CFS.

• Paradise Fish : $6.99

Macropodus Opercularis Albino Paradise Fish Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $6.99

Lastest Comments on Paradise Fish View all 24 comments on Paradise Fish Add Your Comment

coree - 2011-11-11 Do 2 male paradise fish get in a tank together will they fight to the death like bettas? Click For Replies (1) Alex Burleson - 2011-11-12 Paradise fish, while they are not as aggressive as Bettas, they still have the aggression, and it is advisable not to place two males together in the same aquarium. Reply

petros - 2011-01-06 Hello! I am new to the aquarium hobby and at the moment I have 50 lt one with Neon Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, various catfish and most important of all a male Betta Splendens (the small one). I am thinking of getting a paradise fish, but I am concerned what happens with the Betta. Should I buy one, two (a couple, I know)? I don't want however my fish to multiply... Thank you all and have a Happy New Year! Click For Replies (1) samiran roy,india - 2011-09-21 You can keep paradise fish pair with a betta. But however be ready for some agression. Be sure to have some hiding places and live plants. Reply

sarah - 2010-02-26 I have owned a few of these beauties but I'm having a hard time finding them at from my local pet stores , I hope to one day to own few again for my tanks. Click For Replies (2) Darrell Womack - 2011-05-30 Sarah, I live in the Dominican Republic and I have lots of the Paradise Gouramis. I wish I could find someome to buy these and other tropical fish we have. Good luck Barbara Mathews - 2011-08-13 Hi Darrell, I remember you from several years ago when we were on Antipas forum. We both bailed out at the same time realizing the apostasy and spiritual deception was rampant on that forum. I appreciated your wisdom and experience. I hope you're still growing in the LORD and being blessed in all you do. Hope you find buyers for your tropicals as well. The economy up here in the states is struggling as you well know. E-mail me some time if you get a chance. God bless you and your wife, Barb Reply

Angelo - 2011-07-27 Years ago, a friend gave me a "Blue Paradise Fish" because it bullied his other fish when he added it to his aquarium. All I had was a small rectangular glass container----maybe two gallons and no aeration or thermostat, kept in a laundry room that would get cold in the Winter. I put aluminum foil on the top to keep the fish in. That fish lived for years----would actually jump from the water to take food from my hand. He would swim to the front glass and pose when someone walked into the room. Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-07-28 Good story and good for you Reply

Michael - 2011-01-21 The publisher says that bettas and paradise fish can't be kept together. In my case, this was not true. I kept a crown tail betta fish with a blue paradise in a 5 gallon tank they got along fine. Click For Replies (1) nehal - 2011-01-27 Hi Michael I happen to have a paradise in my tank he really likes my other fish so I don't think what they said is true because he gets along well with my guppys and loaches. Reply

Jim Coffey - 2010-06-19 Was wondering if they would do well in a small pond, 4' x3' x 2' deep, does not freeze to the bottom? Goldfish survive well in it year round. Click For Replies (3) Megan - 2010-11-05 I have a blue and yellow Gourami. They tend to be sensitive to temperature with a tolerance of around 72-82 F. you can easily tell when these fish become stressed from temp or pH because their coloring will become pale compared to their typical bright vibrant colors. If you really do want to put them in an outside pond I would seriously consider buying a submergible heater. As long as you maintain a healthy temperature for these fish, they should be fine, but if anything you could transport them to a tank during the cooler or extreme hot months to keep them safe. Tyler - 2010-12-22 Being a tropical fish, paradise gouramis like water that's warm, and would most likely die if kept in cold water... goldfish like cold water (this is why they are good for beginners), that is why they do well in an outdoor pond. I wouldn't put a paradise in an outdoor pond. Darren Lamont - 2011-01-15 Hi Jim, I wouldn't expect them to last in a pond if the top freezes over as they have the labyrinth gland, the same as bettas and gouramis, therefore needing to breathe air from the surface. Reply

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