Paradise fish

The paradise fish, paradisefish, or paradise gourami, Macropodus opercularis, is a species of gourami found in most types of fresh water in East Asia, ranging from the Korean Peninsula to northern Vietnam. Paradise fish are a highly colorful species of freshwater fish belonging to the gourami family. They were the first species of tropical fish to be imported to Europe nearly 150 years ago. This species can reach a length of 6.7 cm (2.6 in), though most are only about 5.5 cm (2.2 in).

Paradise fish are fairly combative, harassing and attacking each other, as well as potentially killing small fish. Wild paradise fish usually have both red and blue markings. In modern times, solid red and solid blue paradise fish have been produced by breeders. This species is one of the few fish that can change its color (lighter or darker) in response to stimuli. The popularity of this species has waned in recent decades as much more colorful (and often less pugnacious) species of gouramis have become widely available to hobbyists.

Quick stats and scientific classification Paradise fish:

Kingdom:        Animalia

Phylum:           Chordata

Class:  Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Suborder:        Anabantoidei

Family:            Osphronemidae

Subfamily:      Macropodusinae

Genus:            Macropodus

Species:          M. opercularis

Binomial name of Paradise fish:

Macropodus opercularis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Paradise fish are omnivores and will readily accept most flake and pellet based foods. However, it is important to supplement their diet with live foods such as mosquito larvae, bloodworms and daphnia. In the wild, they are predators, eating insects, invertebrates, and fish fry.