Paradise fish care

Water temperature

61–79°F

A paradise fish wants water at 61–79°F, pH 6–8, and a tank of 20 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include goldfish, crayfish, corydoras.

Tough, pushy and fine in cooler water. Males fight each other.

Macropodus opercularis

pH

6–8

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

3.5 in

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group

One per tank

Lifespan

8–10 years

Swims at

Top

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• GoldfishYes
• CrayfishYes
• CorydorasYes
• Rosy barbYes
• Gold barbYes
• Mystery snailYes
• White cloud minnowYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Odessa barbYes
• Black skirt tetraYes
• Panda coryYes
• Dojo loachYes

Full paradise fish tank mate chart: 64 yes, 13 with care, 21 no

Paradise fish water compared

Fish to keep away from paradise fish

• Betta Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
• Axolotl Fish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
• Cherry shrimp A paradise fish is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
• Angelfish Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
• Ghost shrimp A paradise fish is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.
• Fancy goldfish Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of fancy goldfish are an easy target.
• Guppy Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.

More gouramis and bettas

• Betta76–82°F
• Honey gourami72–82°F
• Pearl gourami77–82°F
• Sparkling gourami72–82°F
• Blue gourami72–82°F
• Dwarf gourami72–82°F
• Kissing gourami72–82°F