Care and Compatibility of Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis


Introduction

The Paradise Fish has an elongated and laterally compressed body, with long and showy fins. Males are particularly striking, with bright colors and long, elegant fins. Females have more subdued colors but also have long fins. They are popular in aquariums due to their attractive appearance.

Behavior

The Paradise Fish, also known as Macropodus opercularis, is a species of freshwater fish native to Asia. They are known for their beauty and territorial behavior. They are labyrinth fish, which means they can breathe air directly from the surface and survive in low oxygenated waters.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Macropodus opercularis is pronounced. Males have brighter colors and longer fins than females. Additionally, males may develop a black spot at the base of the dorsal fin when in breeding condition.

Reproduction

Breeding Paradise Fish can be challenging in home aquariums. Males build floating bubble nests and perform displays to attract females. After mating, the female deposits the eggs in the nest, and the male fertilizes them. The parents care for and protect the eggs and fry until they can swim independently.

Aquarium Conditions

Macropodus opercularis, commonly known as the paradise fish, requires a spacious aquarium with plenty of vegetation and open swimming areas. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic water and a temperate temperature. Aquarium décor should include floating plants and hiding spots. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a balanced diet.

Feeding

They are omnivorous fish and accept a variety of foods in their diet. They feed on small aquatic invertebrates, larvae, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. They can also consume commercial foods in the form of pellets, flakes, or pellets. It is recommended to provide them with a balanced diet that includes live or frozen foods to maintain their health and vitality.

Complexity

Caring for Macropodus opercularis can be moderately challenging. They are territorial fish and can be aggressive towards each other and other species, especially during breeding. It is recommended to keep them in pairs or mixed groups with other peaceful species. They are omnivores and accept a variety of foods.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Macropodus Opercularis (Paradise Fish) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Macropodus Opercularis (Paradise Fish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Paradise Fish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 54 species compatible with the Macropodus Opercularis (Paradise Fish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (54)

Compatible (10 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Similar Sizes (7 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon Simulans

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

With Reservation (34 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Ember Tetra - Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

False Discus - Heros severus

False Discus

Heros severus

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Labidochromis caeruleus - Labidochromis caeruleus

Labidochromis caeruleus

Labidochromis caeruleus

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Los machos solo pueden convivir con hembras de su misma especie, no juntar con otros machos.


Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Considerable size difference (3 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Bala Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis
  • Ph: 6 - 8
  • Temperature (c°): 16 - 24
  • Measures: 8 cm - 12cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    84 Liters - 22 Gallons
  • Behavior: Aggressive, Territorial, Territorial with its species
  • Size: Medium
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Water Type: Sweet water