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Albino Paradise Fish |
Male Paradise Fish |
Black Paradise Fish |
Paradise Fish
One of the first fish ever exported for the aquarium trade was the hardy yet beautiful Paradise Fish. We now have three varieties commonly available - the standard Paradise Fish, an Albino variety and a black variety.
Originating in East Asia, they are found in rivers and streams covering Vietnam which is hot, North Korea, that is very cold in the winter, South Korea, China and Taiwan. However even though the North Korean variety survives winter temperatures of an average of -10°C, we don't recommend Paradise Fish for an outside pond (given that we probably don't have the North Korean variety available to us!)
However in an aquarium, Paradise Fish can happily live both in tropical or coldwater, but are most happiest when the water temperature is around 24°C. There are even reports of them surviving water temperature of up to 37°C !!
Paradise Fish also survive a wide range of water parameters .. the water can be either alkaline or acidic and they even tolerate quite high nitrate levels.
Related to the more recognizable Fighting Fish, like their predecessors, Paradise Fish (particularly the males) can be quite aggressive to tank mates. They are far better suited in larger tanks with larger tank mates, and certainly not with goldfish if that's what you're thinking. Keeping two males in the same tank also usually leads to fighting.
Paradise Fish are labyrinth fish and can breathe air as well as water. If they do not have access to the air they can drown. You will notice them often visiting the surface of the water to breathe in some oxygen.
Experienced aquarists seek the more colourful males as they feature beautiful red and blue colouration and generally grow to a larger size. The largest one we have seen would have been a good 12-13cm and was a magnificent specimen.
Paradise Fish generally inhabit the top third of an aquarium and are not fussy eaters. They accept flake, pellets, frozen and live foods.
Because Paradise Fish grow quite large, it is recommended that the tank be no less than 65 Litres, but 150 litres would be more preferable. They will co-exist in the same aquarium with other species like Gouramis, Larger Tetras, Freshwater Sharks, Catfish, Schools of Tiger Barbs or Clown Loaches.
Sexing Paradise Fish is quite easy - males are more coloured and generally larger than the females.
Breeding Paradise Fish isn't too difficult. After conditioning the female for several weeks, add her to the aquarium with the male in it, then some plant matter, and sit back and watch the male build a bubble nest on top of the water for a day or two. Keep an eye on happenings from there on because as soon as the male "squeezes" the eggs out from the female, then the female becomes a target. She generally acts a little naive and will eat the eggs, which prompts the male to go bananas and start attacking her. You should remove her as he will eventually kill her for this.
Paradise Fish