Paradise Fish
Macropodus opercularis
Also sold as Albino paradise gourami
Synonyms Blue paradise
Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is an aggressive freshwater fish that reaches about 8 cm (3.1 in) and swims in open water. It wants 50–79°F (10–26°C) and pH 6–8, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 72 L (19 gal).
Check a freshwater stocking selection with your tank size and animal counts.
Try it in a tank
Put Paradise Fish in a 3D tank at your size and see how it sits with everything else. Free with an account.
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 72 L (19 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 50–79°F (10–26°C) |
| pH | 6–8 |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Eats shrimp | Yes |
Before it goes in
- Paradise Fish needs at least 72 L (19 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 20 Gallon High.
- It eats small fish and shrimp — anything under about 3.5 cm (1.4 in). In this library that means Cherry Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp and Bamboo Shrimp.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Axolotl, Oscar and Clown Loach: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 50–79°F (10–26°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Discus.
- It is aggressive — plan the tank around it rather than adding it to a finished community.
- One of them takes up roughly 17% of what a 20 Gallon High will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Paradise Fish: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 72 L (19 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 20 Gallon High.
Will it eat shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.
What water does it want?
50–79°F (10–26°C), pH 6–8.
How long does it live?
8–10 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly and Otocinclus.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Paradise Fish | Elephantnose Fish | Apistogramma agassizii | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 8 cm | 22.5 cm | 8 cm |
| Min tank | 72 L | 243 L | 60 L |
| Group | 1+ | 1+ | 2+ |
| Temperature | 50–79°F (10–26°C) | 73–82°F (23–28°C) | 75–84°F (24–29°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Yes | Yes | Yes |