Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Paradise Fish
Macropodus opercularis
Also called Paradisefish, Paradise gourami, Blue paradise fish, Chinese fighting fish, Fork-tailed paradisefish
From East Asia, from the Yangtze basin of China south to northern Vietnam, including Hainan and Taiwan. Lives in ditches, paddy fields, small streams and backwaters.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaled labyrinth fish
A compact, colourful fish with a deeply forked tail. Bodies show alternating blue and red-orange bars, and males carry longer, more flowing dorsal, anal and tail fins than females. It can lighten or darken its colours depending on mood.23
Personality what they are like
A confident, spirited fish with plenty of character. Males are very territorial with each other, so it is not a typical community-tank fish.123
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active and curious; appreciates a planted tank with hiding places and room to patrol.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Hardy and adaptable. Keep only one male per tank unless space is very large, and choose tankmates that are peaceful and unlike it in shape.3
Home where they are happiest
Tank of at least about 80 x 30 cm (around 70 litres) for a pair. Water roughly 10 to 26 °C (often fine unheated), pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness about 5 to 20 dGH.13
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A predatory omnivore that eats insects and small invertebrates in the wild. Offer small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and worms, plus quality dried food.123
Company who they like around
Keep as a pair, or one male with two or more females to spread his attention.3
The story where it all began
Paradise fish reached France in 1869, brought by a French soldier named Gerault, and Germany in 1876. They were among the very first ornamental fish imported to Europe after the goldfish and the first tropical freshwater fish bred in captivity there.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Paradise fish can gulp air at the surface, which lets them live in still, low-oxygen water.1
- 2
The male builds a floating nest of saliva-coated air bubbles and guards the eggs until they hatch.1
- 3
In 1869 it became one of the first ornamental fish brought to Europe, after the goldfish.1
- 4
It can quickly change how light or dark its colours look in response to what is going on around it.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Assessed as Least Concern (2010).1
- Fishkeeping
- One of the first ornamental fish brought to Europe, and widely kept around the world.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Paradise Fish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Feedingevery day
- Water changeAbout 25 to 30% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Paradise Fish?
Feed your Paradise Fish once daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding every day, offering small live or frozen foods like daphnia or brine shrimp, plus quality dried food. Adjust the amount based on what your fish eats in a few minutes, and check with your vet if you're unsure.123 Furry Diary plan
What does a Paradise Fish eat, and what should it never eat?
Paradise Fish are predatory omnivores that enjoy small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and worms, along with quality dried food. Never feed them large or hard foods that could cause choking or digestive issues, and avoid any human foods not designed for fish.123
How much space does a Paradise Fish need?
A pair of Paradise Fish needs a tank of at least about 80 x 30 cm, which is around 70 litres. This gives them room to patrol and explore, especially in a planted tank with hiding places.13
What temperature, light or water does a Paradise Fish need?
Paradise Fish thrive in water temperatures from 10 to 26 °C, often fine without a heater, with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness about 5 to 20 dGH. They appreciate moderate lighting and a planted tank with hiding spots.13
How often should I clean a Paradise Fish's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a weekly water change of about 25 to 30%, along with weekly glass cleaning and water testing. Rinse the filter every 30 days to keep the tank healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Paradise Fish live with others?
Paradise Fish can live with peaceful tankmates that are unlike them in shape, but males are very territorial with each other. It's best to keep only one male per tank, or one male with two or more females to spread his attention.123
How long does a Paradise Fish live?
The lifespan of a Paradise Fish varies depending on care and environment. For specific details, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet who knows this species well.
Can I handle a Paradise Fish?
It's best not to handle Paradise Fish, as they are delicate and can be stressed by touch. Enjoy watching their confident, colorful behavior in the tank instead.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Macropodus opercularis fishbase.seused for names, range, size, weight, temperature, pH, habitat, diet, IUCN, bubble nest, history
- Wikipedia: Paradise fish en.wikipedia.orgused for names, colours, diet, behaviour, history
- Seriously Fish: Macropodus opercularis seriouslyfish.comused for size, tank size, water parameters, diet, compatibility, group, colour forms, history
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.