Paradise fish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 7 cm. Record sizes among the 5 Macropodus species on LumaReef: 5.8 cm (Black Paradisefish) to 8.6 cm (Round-tailed Paradisefish).

Paradise fish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Paradise fish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 15–24 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, hardness 3–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Macropodus on LumaReef (18–28 °C).

Paradise fish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 3 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Swordtail, and Yoyo loach.

FreshwaterComing soon100 coinsCommon

Paradise fish

Macropodus opercularis

It stalks the top layer like a hunter, then flares its fins and strikes.

The Paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae. Adults grow to about 7 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 80 cm long and water at 15–24 °C.

Size: 7 cm
Smallest tank: 80 cm
Temperature: 15–24 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature15–24 °C

pH6.0–8.0

Hardness3–15 °dGH

Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Surface
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres30 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres50 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres108 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres200 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres240 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along3 species

Caution18 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together78 species

These two do not get along

Betta (Siamese fighting fish)

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAnabantiformes
FamilyOsphronemidae
GenusMacropodus
SpeciesMacropodus opercularis

In other languages

English: Fork Tailed Paradisefish
German: Gabelschwanzmakropode
Russian: Обыкновенный макропод
Japanese: タイワンキンギョ
Chinese: 蓋斑鬥魚

Quick answers

Paradise fish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 7 cm. Record sizes among the 5 Macropodus species on LumaReef: 5.8 cm (Black Paradisefish) to 8.6 cm (Round-tailed Paradisefish).
Paradise fish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Paradise fish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 15–24 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, hardness 3–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Macropodus on LumaReef (18–28 °C).
Paradise fish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 3 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Swordtail, and Yoyo loach.
Paradise fish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Paradise fish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.