Paradise Fish black (Macropodus opercularis), 4-6 cm

Macropodus opercularis, commonly known as the Paradise Fish, is one of the oldest and most famous aquarium species. It is admired for its vibrant colours, elegant finnage and fascinating behaviour.

This hardy species tolerates cooler temperatures than many tropical fish and thrives in planted aquariums with plenty of cover and swimming space.

Scientific name: Macropodus opercularis
Common name: Paradise Fish
Origin: East Asia
Size: approximately 8–10 cm
Minimum aquarium size: 80 l
Temperature: 18–28 °C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Diet: flakes, pellets, frozen and live foods
Behaviour: territorial, especially males
Difficulty: easy