Paradise Fish
Macropodus opercularis
The Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 75 litres (20 US gallons), water held at 50-72°F, and a pH of 6-8.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
East/Southeast Asia
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Paradise Fish Tank Setup
Give them at least 75 litres (20 US gallons) with gentle flow, water at 50-72°F, and a pH around 6-8. Gouramis breathe air at the surface, so keep it clear of thick film.
What Do Paradise Fish Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Paradise Fish Tank Mates
Can be territorial and fin-nippy; avoid slow/long-finned fish; best as single specimen in community The Paradise Fish is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Paradise Fish Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Paradise Fish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Paradise Fish need?
Paradise Fish need a tank of at least 75 litres (20 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Paradise Fish need?
Keep them at 50-72°F with a pH of 6-8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Paradise Fish eat?
Paradise Fish are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Paradise Fish good for beginners?
Paradise Fish are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Paradise Fish
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Paradise Fishs will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Paradise Fish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraIncompatible temperament or care requirements
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
