We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Aquatic

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Paradise Fish?

By J.L. Drede
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 7,321
Share

The paradise fish is a small fish that is popular in aquariums due to its bright coloring and long fins. Its scientific name is macropodus opercularis and it also goes by the name paradise gourami. It is a freshwater fish and in nature are most commonly found in paddy fields around Vietnam and Korea.

Many first-time aquarium keepers will buy a paradise fish because it is hardy. It can survive in a cool water aquarium, and have a temperature range of 65 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 27 Celsius). Many times the fish are even kept in outdoor ponds, although it should be moved indoors during colder months. The paradise gourami is a labyrinth fish. These kind of fish have a lung-like organ called a labyrinth that allows them to take in oxygen directly from the air as well as their gills. This makes the paradise fish especially hardy, as it does not need a tank with high oxygen levels in order to thrive. It can survive in a varying levels of pH as well, anywhere between 6.0 and 7.8.

The fish will eat a wide variety of foods as well. Various worms and brine shrimp, both alive or dead, can be a meal for a paradise gourami. Flake and freeze-dried food can work too. They will also eat vegetable matter, including peas, lettuce or even cut up zucchini.

The paradise gourami can survive in a small tank, but if kept in a community tank with other fish the tank should be at least 30 gallons in size. Plenty of shelter, preferably natural plants, should be placed as well. Care must also be given when choosing tank mates. While male paradise fish can be paired up, they may become aggressive towards each other each other and fight for territory. Plants and other decorations can help decease the chances of this happening.

They also need plenty of space; 10 gallons (40 L) for each gourami is a good scale. Males can be housed with females however, and there is no danger in housing multiple females together. You can check gender a paradise gourami by checking its coloration. The more pale and subdued of the species are usually the females. Other species of fish can be kept with them, provided they aren't small enough to be eaten. With the right environment, water and food a paradise fish may live up to three years or even longer in an aquarium.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-paradise-fish.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.