Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
Blue colour form of the classic Paradise Fish: hardy, vivid and full of character, but best kept in a covered planted aquarium with carefully chosen tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Macropodus opercularis
Blue Paradise Fish bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
Blue colour form of the classic Paradise Fish: hardy, vivid and full of character, but best kept in a covered planted aquarium with carefully chosen tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Blue Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is the blue colour form of the classic Paradise Fish, a confident East Asian labyrinth fish with metallic barring, strong fin display and a proper old-school aquarium presence. Petra lists this line as Macropodus opercularis blue, which is useful trade wording, but the species name customers should see is Macropodus opercularis. The fish supplied here are active juvenile/subadult specimens in the 4-5 cm or larger >5.5 cm size variants, with adult planning around 8-10 cm depending on sex, age and conditions.
This is a hardy fish, but not a careless community fish. Paradise fish breathe atmospheric air through a labyrinth organ, tolerate cooler indoor aquariums better than many gouramis, and thrive in calm, planted water with access to the surface. They are also territorial, especially males, so the best results come from a covered aquarium with visual breaks, floating plants and sensible tank mates. If you want colour, personality and a fish that notices its surroundings, the Blue Paradise Fish is excellent; if you want a gentle, invisible shoal fish, choose something softer.
Our supplier record and exact Petra source image identify this fish as the blue form of Macropodus opercularis. FishBase records the species as the Paradisefish and describes it as an air-breathing fish of lowland habitats such as streams, paddy fields and ditches. Seriously Fish also treats Macropodus opercularis as the classic aquarium Paradise Fish, a long-established species in the hobby rather than a new hybrid line. The word "blue" is therefore best used as a colour-form description, not as part of the italic scientific name.
Blue Paradise Fish are bought for their posture as much as their colour. A settled male can show cool blue body tones, red-orange barring, extended fins and an alert surface-patrolling style. Females are usually shorter-finned and less intense, but still attractive. Colour improves when the fish has cover, clean water, varied food and low stress; it fades when the tank is bare, overlit or crowded.
Expect an intelligent, territorial fish that uses the upper and middle levels of the aquarium. They investigate food quickly, inspect plants and wood, and may flare at reflections or rivals. Two mature males should not be kept together in ordinary home aquariums. A single specimen is often the easiest display choice, while a male/female pair or trio needs more space, dense planting and close observation.
Use an aquarium of at least 80 litres for one adult Blue Paradise Fish. Choose a longer tank over a tall narrow one, because horizontal territory matters. Add a secure lid, since paradise fish are strong jumpers and also benefit from warm, humid air above the surface. Gentle filtration is best: enough biological capacity to keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, but not so much surface turbulence that the fish is fighting current all day.
A dark substrate, driftwood, tall stems, floating plants and open swimming lanes suit this species well. Floating plants are especially useful because the fish rests and displays near the surface. Sight breaks reduce chasing and make a pair or community setup much more realistic. Water should be stable rather than extreme: 18-26°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and moderate hardness are suitable for most UK tap-water setups after normal dechlorination and cycling.
Feed a varied omnivore diet. Good quality floating granules or small pellets can be the base, supported by frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. The fish will usually feed eagerly, so keep portions controlled and remove uneaten food. For best colour and condition, offer small meals once or twice a day rather than one large messy feed.
Small shrimp and shrimplets may be hunted. This is not a safe choice for a breeding shrimp colony unless the aquarium is very dense and losses are acceptable. Snails are normally less of a concern, and robust bottom dwellers can work if the tank is large enough.
Blue Paradise Fish are best described as selective community fish. They can live with active, robust tank mates that are not tiny, not long-finned and not trying to own the same surface territory. Medium barbs, larger peaceful danios, robust tetras and some loaches are more realistic companions than guppies, male bettas or delicate slow-moving fish. Avoid mixing them with other male paradise fish, fancy guppies, very small fish and species that invite fin nipping.
When adding tank mates, use quarantine, rearrange some decor before introduction and watch feeding for the first week. A paradise fish that is calm in one layout may become pushy in a smaller or barer tank. The answer is not to overstock around the problem; it is to give the fish space, cover and companions with the right speed and confidence.
Macropodus opercularis is a bubble-nesting labyrinth fish. A conditioned male builds a surface nest, courts the female below it and guards the eggs after spawning. Breeding is achievable for experienced keepers, but adult aggression must be managed. The female is often removed after spawning, and the male is removed once fry are free-swimming. Fry need very small first foods and excellent water hygiene.
When your Blue Paradise Fish arrives, keep the aquarium lights low and float the bag before slowly mixing small amounts of tank water into the transport water. This species is hardy, but shipping is still stressful and sudden changes in temperature or pH can cause clamped fins, hiding and loss of colour. Release the fish into a quiet part of the tank and leave it to settle before feeding heavily. A small first feed later the same day or the next morning is better than a large meal immediately after unpacking.
During the first week, check that the fish is breathing normally, using the surface occasionally, holding its fins open and responding to food. Some chasing or display can happen if other fish are already in the aquarium, but repeated pinning into a corner means the layout or tank-mate mix needs changing. Add extra floating cover or rearrange wood and plants if the fish cannot claim a calm zone.
A healthy Macropodus opercularis should look alert, upright and curious. The body should not be hollow, the fins should not be clamped, and the fish should not gasp constantly at the surface. Occasional air breathing is normal because this is a labyrinth fish; desperate surface hanging is not. The common preventable problems are poor water quality, fin damage after territorial disputes, and unstable room temperature in unheated aquariums.
Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, keep nitrate controlled with regular partial water changes, and avoid strong surface blast from oversized filters. Colour is also a health clue. Blue and red tones usually become stronger after a few days in a planted, settled aquarium. If the fish remains grey, hides constantly or refuses food after settling, test the water first before reaching for medication.
This fish is best for keepers who like behaviour and character as much as colour. It is a strong choice for a planted temperate indoor aquarium, a species-focused display, or a carefully planned community with robust companions. It is not the best fit for a tiny tank, a bowl, a shrimp breeding setup, a slow long-finned community, or an aquarium with another adult male paradise fish. If you are unsure, choose more space and more plants; those two decisions solve more paradise fish problems than almost anything else.
Order Blue Paradise Fish from Tropical Fish Co when you want a hardy, colourful labyrinth fish with real character and UK livestock delivery handled carefully. The exact Petra source photo has been added to this product so you can inspect the supplier image alongside our existing visual gallery. New customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off their first order where eligible, and livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when the delivery conditions are followed.
Before ordering, check that your aquarium is cycled, covered and large enough for the adult fish, not only for the supplied juvenile size. This species rewards preparation: give it a planted, calm surface zone and it becomes a colourful, interactive centrepiece rather than a stressed territorial problem.
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