Black Paradise Fish (Macropodus spechti)

Black Paradise Fish is the established common name for Macropodus spechti, a dark Vietnamese labyrinth fish with blue fin membranes, strongly outlined scales and an alert surface-patrolling manner. This listing is for the black form named by the supplier. It is not the separately sold Royal Blue form, and it is not the more familiar Blue Paradise Fish, Macropodus opercularis.

The selector may show approximate 3-4 cm and 4-5 cm size bands. Each selected quantity means one live, unsexed fish in the chosen approximate band. It does not mean a male and female pair, a bonded pair, an exact measured length or a fish of a guaranteed sex. Current price and availability belong to the live selector rather than this description.

This is a territorial species for a prepared keeper, not an automatic community choice. Tropical Fish Co recommends planning around at least an 80 cm-long aquarium of roughly 100 litres for one adult, with 140 litres or more when carefully assessed companions are considered. A tightly fitted lid, easy surface access, calm planted cover and a mature filter are essential. The dimensions are welfare recommendations based on adult form and behaviour, not a tank-size value published by FishBase.

The current gallery contains one protected illustration made under an earlier owner-approved recovery policy. It is a representative dark Macropodus-type aquarium scene, not a photograph of the exact fish dispatched. Live colour, finnage, sex, size and markings vary, and the image does not prove a Royal Blue form or a particular lineage.

What is Macropodus spechti?

Macropodus spechti is a freshwater member of the gourami family, but calling every labyrinth fish a gourami can hide important behavioural differences. FishBase accepts Black Paradisefish as the English common name and places the species in Osphronemidae: Macropodusinae. It is an obligate air breather, using a labyrinth organ to take oxygen from the air above the water as well as using its gills.

The species has travelled through the aquarium literature under several names. FishBase's nomenclature record lists Macropodus opercularis spechti, M. opercularis concolor and M. concolor as synonyms. Those older names can help a keeper recognise a historic care note or supplier label, but they do not identify extra species being sold in this selector. The accepted scientific anchor used here is Macropodus spechti.

Taxonomy within Vietnamese Macropodus has been debated. Winstanley and Clements found that simple counts and body measurements do not reliably separate every named form and that colour pattern must be interpreted carefully. This page therefore makes a precise but limited claim: the supplier identifies the fish as black M. spechti. It does not claim DNA confirmation, a collection locality, a wild lineage or a named breeding strain.

Name seen in the trade	How this page treats it	Identity boundary
Black Paradise Fish	Preferred customer-facing common name	The black supplier form in this listing
Black Paradisefish	FishBase English common name	Same species, different spacing
Specht's Paradise Fish	Useful secondary common name	Refers to M. spechti
Macropodus concolor	Historic synonym	Not the accepted scientific name used here
Royal Blue Paradise Fish	Separate propagated form and separate product	Must not be substituted for this black-form listing
Blue Paradise Fish	Usually M. opercularis	A different species listing

What does each size and quantity mean?

The live selector describes approximate purchase-size bands. A moving fish cannot be promised to the millimetre, and supplier sizing does not prove age, sex or growth rate. A specimen may sit near either end of its selected band at dispatch. Always prepare for the adult fish rather than treating the delivery size as a permanent size category.

One quantity means one individual. The two variants are different size options, not one male and one female. Sex cannot be guaranteed from this listing, and a customer ordering two fish is not buying a compatible pair. Mature males can be strongly territorial, while an apparent juvenile pair can change behaviour as the fish settle or mature.

The page uses a solo purchase presentation because that is the safest default. It does not prevent an experienced breeder from making a separately planned choice, but it avoids presenting an unsexed territorial fish as an automatic pair purchase. Price and stock remain dynamic so the written page cannot become stale when a size option changes.

Selector choice	What it means	What it does not mean
Approximately 3-4 cm	One smaller unsexed fish in that approximate band	Not a dwarf adult, guaranteed juvenile age or exact length
Approximately 4-5 cm	One larger unsexed fish in that approximate band	Not a sexed adult or Royal Blue form
Quantity one	One live fish	Not one pair
Quantity two	Two separate unsexed fish	Not a bonded or guaranteed compatible pair
Gallery image	Representative illustration	Not exact stock or proof of sale quantity

What should a Black Paradise Fish look like?

FishBase describes a dark grey-brown fish with strongly outlined scales, blue membranes in the unpaired fins and a forked caudal fin. The opercular spot is pale or absent rather than the conspicuous mark associated with some related forms. In a settled aquarium, the fish can look almost black from one angle and show blue, slate or brown detail from another.

Colour is not a fixed paint code. Stress, transport, lighting, substrate, background, social pressure, temperature and individual genetics affect what the keeper sees. A newly arrived fish may look paler or less extended than a settled adult. Good condition should be judged through posture, breathing, appetite, fin integrity and gradual recovery, not by expecting one edited shade on the first day.

Mature finnage contributes to total visual length. FishBase's 5.8 cm maximum is standard length, measured without the caudal fin. Secondary aquarium sources may describe larger total lengths. For practical planning, allow roughly 8-10 cm including mature finnage while recognising that no seller can guarantee one adult number for every individual.

Feature	Reasonable expectation	Do not assume
Body colour	Dark grey, brown-black or black appearance	One permanent uniform shade under every light
Fin colour	Blue membranes and dark edging may be visible	Royal Blue strain intensity
Opercular area	Pale or absent spot in the species diagnosis	A single photo can certify ancestry
Adult length	Plan around roughly 8-10 cm including finnage	Exact final length or age from dispatch size
Sex	May become easier to assess with maturity	Guaranteed sex from this unsexed listing

What does the product image prove?

The gallery has one representative illustration. It was retained because it is clear, high resolution, free from visible text and useful as a dark paradise-fish visual reference. It was generated from a text description without a real reference image under an earlier owner-approved recovery policy, so it is disclosed rather than presented as documentary photography.

The image does not establish the exact specimen, sex, age, size, strain, collection locality or individual markings. It also cannot verify whether a dispatched fish will hold identical colour under a customer's lighting. The title, supplier record, scientific sources and live selector carry the identity and sale-unit information; the picture supports recognition but does not override them.

Preserving the existing media ID protects the product's gallery history.

Where does the species come from?

FishBase records Macropodus spechti from Viet Nam. Habitat notes include hill streams, structured margins and backwaters of larger rivers, smaller streams and irrigation channels. These environments are varied, but they share features useful to aquarium planning: access to the surface, cover near margins and places where the fish can move out of strong current.

A home aquarium cannot reproduce a whole river system. It can provide the functional elements that matter: calm areas, floating shade, rooted or attached plants, branches or wood that interrupt sight lines, open surface routes and clean water. A bare brightly lit tank with a turbulent outlet removes many of the choices the fish would use to regulate stress.

Vietnamese distribution does not prove where an individual shop fish was bred or collected. This listing makes no wild-caught, captive-bred, river-locality or conservation-origin claim. FishBase cites a Data Deficient IUCN assessment, which describes the state of available wild-population evidence; it is not a statement about this individual's retail provenance.

How large should the aquarium be?

For one adult, Tropical Fish Co recommends a tank at least about 80 cm long and around 100 litres. Horizontal territory is more useful than a tall narrow column because the fish patrols the upper and middle levels and needs room to turn away from activity. The recommendation is deliberately more cautious than an old 10-gallon or 60-litre shortcut.

For a community attempt, use 140 litres or more and prioritise extra length, planted sight breaks and a separation plan. Adding litres without changing footprint does not create additional territories. A mature male may decide that most of the surface is its territory, especially near floating cover or a bubble nest.

A pair or breeding plan is not the same as a normal display setup. It needs sex confirmation, close observation and a second cycled enclosure ready before the fish are combined. Do not buy an unsexed second fish simply because an aquarium has reached a round litre number. Behaviour, shape, cover and management capacity matter as much as volume.

Plan	Welfare starting point	Management note
One adult	About 100 litres and at least 80 cm length	Covered planted layout with open surface route
Carefully assessed community	140 litres or more with added length	Robust companions and immediate separation capacity
Two unsexed juveniles	Not a recommended default	Sex and adult compatibility are unknown
Breeding attempt	Dedicated controlled setup plus spare cycled tank	Male aggression can rise around a nest
Bowl or open nano tank	Unsuitable	Insufficient territory, stability, cover and lid security

How should the aquarium be arranged?

Use a close-fitting lid with cable and pipe gaps secured. Leave a small warm, humid air space between the water and lid so the fish can use its labyrinth organ without breathing cold dry room air. Keep the surface accessible; a solid mat of plants should provide shelter without sealing every route.

Plant densely around the sides and rear, then preserve a clear route through the upper and middle water. Floating plants, tall stems, broad leaves, smooth wood and shaded zones can break lines of sight. A darker substrate often helps a newly arrived fish settle, while adjustable neutral lighting allows the keeper to inspect the dark body for injuries.

Keep filtration flow gentle to moderate. Diffuse a strong return along the glass or through a spray bar rather than creating one exhausting jet. Protect intakes and heater surfaces. Paradise fish can jump during feeding, conflict or maintenance, so the lid should be returned immediately after access rather than left resting nearby.

Feature	Useful approach	Failure to avoid
Lid	Rigid, close fitting and gap secured	Open feeding slot or uncovered cable gap
Surface	Open breathing routes with partial floating cover	Completely sealed plant mat or violent turbulence
Planting	Dense margins and visual barriers	One exposed box with nowhere to withdraw
Swimming space	Clear upper and middle route	Decor filling every usable path
Equipment	Guarded intake and protected heater	Entrapment gap or exposed hot surface
Lighting	Moderate and adjustable	Continuous glare with no shaded refuge

What water parameters should be maintained?

FishBase records 20-26°C and pH 6.5-7.8, with hardness up to 20 dH. A practical daily target is therefore stable 20-26°C, pH 6.5-7.8 and approximately 8-20 dGH. Do not force a fish through abrupt chemical changes to reach the middle of a printed range; measured stability and careful acclimation are safer.

Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero. Keep nitrate low and stable through appropriate stocking, controlled feeding, mature filtration and regular partial water changes. Clear water can still contain dissolved waste, so use reliable tests rather than judging safety by appearance or smell.

Temperature affects oxygen. Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, and a covered aquarium still needs effective gas exchange. Move the surface broadly without blocking calm breathing areas. A labyrinth organ helps the fish use atmospheric air, but it does not make ammonia, nitrite, low oxygen or neglected maintenance harmless.

Parameter	Practical target	Action boundary
Temperature	20-26°C	Avoid rapid changes and check oxygen during hot weather
pH	6.5-7.8	Stable suitable pH is safer than abrupt correction
General hardness	Approximately 8-20 dGH	Match source water gradually rather than chasing a number
Ammonia	0 mg/L	Any detected reading needs immediate investigation
Nitrite	0 mg/L	Any detected reading is unsafe
Nitrate	Low and stable	Respond to the trend and livestock load
Surface air	Warm, humid and easy to reach	Cold draught, sealed plant mat or inaccessible surface

What filtration and maintenance are needed?

Choose a mature filter with enough biological capacity for the adult feeding load while keeping flow comfortable. A sponge filter, internal filter or external can all work when correctly sized, maintained and arranged. The important outcome is zero ammonia and nitrite, reliable circulation, gentle surface movement and no unprotected intake.

Service mechanical media before trapped waste restricts flow. Preserve biological media and avoid replacing or deep-cleaning every mature surface at once. Use dechlorinated, temperature-matched replacement water. The right water-change volume depends on measured nitrate trend, food input and the aquarium's actual load rather than one universal percentage.

Record a normal baseline for temperature, pH and nitrate. A log makes a slow deterioration visible before the fish shows obvious distress. Test after filter work, power cuts, unexpected feeding, medication or a death. A covered tank should also have a plan for summer heat and power failure because both can reduce oxygen quickly.

Task	Routine aim	Common mistake
Water testing	Track chemistry against a written baseline	Testing only after visible illness
Mechanical media	Remove trapped waste while flow remains healthy	Waiting until the outlet slows sharply
Biological media	Keep mature and oxygenated	Replacing all media together
Water change	Use measured trend and matched water	Large untreated or temperature-mismatched refill
Power-cut plan	Maintain oxygen and protect filter bacteria	Assuming air breathing removes the risk

Why does the labyrinth organ change care?

FishBase describes the species as an obligate air breather. It will regularly approach the surface to take atmospheric air, and that behaviour can be normal even when dissolved oxygen is good. The keeper must distinguish calm periodic gulps from frantic hanging, rapid breathing or repeated attempts to escape.

A lid helps maintain warm humid air above the water. This matters especially after transport and in cool rooms, where a sharp temperature difference between water and inhaled air may add stress. Do not fill the aquarium to a point where the fish must press against the lid to breathe, and do not let condensation create an unsafe electrical route.

Labyrinth breathing is an adaptation, not permission to keep the fish in a bowl. The aquarium still needs a mature nitrogen cycle, adequate volume, filtration, heat stability and oxygenated water. Gills remain important, and waste chemistry can injure the fish regardless of how often it reaches the surface.

What should a Black Paradise Fish eat?

Use a quality floating or slow-sinking omnivore or carnivore granule as the nutritional base, chosen to fit the fish's mouth. Rotate suitable frozen or live invertebrate foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworm in sensible portions. Small insects and larvae reflect the species' predatory interest without requiring a diet of feeder fish.

Feed one or two small meals daily and watch the fish take the food. Remove leftovers. A territorial surface fish may control one feeding point, so in a community distribute food across more than one area and confirm every companion eats. Appetite should be assessed alongside body condition and water quality, not rewarded with continuous excess.

Do not use mammal or poultry meat as routine food, and do not rely on one frozen item as a complete diet. Live foods should come from controlled sources to reduce parasite and contaminant risk. A varied prepared diet is easier to balance, while occasional invertebrate foods encourage natural hunting and display behaviour.

Food	Role	Use note
Quality floating or slow-sinking granule	Daily nutritional base	Match particle size and remove crumbs
Daphnia and brine shrimp	Frozen or live variety	Offer controlled portions from reliable sources
Mosquito larvae or bloodworm	Invertebrate variety	Rotate rather than using one item exclusively
Flake	Useful prepared alternative	Choose a complete food and avoid surface waste
Feeder fish	Not required	Unnecessary disease and welfare risk
Mammal or poultry meat	Not a routine food	Poor long-term substitute for suitable aquatic foods

Are Black Paradise Fish aggressive?

They are territorial rather than universally violent or universally peaceful. A settled fish may patrol the upper half, defend floating cover and challenge a similar-shaped rival. Mature males can be particularly intolerant of other male paradise fish, and breeding behaviour can increase defence around a bubble nest.

A juvenile that coexists in a supplier or shop group has not promised adult harmony. Temporary density, age and unfamiliar surroundings can suppress territorial behaviour. Once a fish establishes a home range, chasing may increase. The safest ordinary plan is one Black Paradise Fish, especially when sex is unknown.

Watch the fish that is being displaced, not only the one displaying. Repeated hiding, missed meals, clamped fins, torn edges, faded colour or being pinned to a corner indicate a failed arrangement. Extra plants may help mild sight-line pressure, but they are not a substitute for separation when one fish cannot feed and rest normally.

Observation	Possible meaning	Response
Brief display then withdrawal	Boundary communication	Observe whether both fish resume normal activity
Repeated pursuit across the tank	Unstable territorial conflict	Separate before injury
One fish misses meals	Resource control or stress	Provide separation and reassess stocking
Surface nest defence	Breeding territory	Protect the other fish and prepare removal
Sudden frantic movement	Conflict, water problem or startle	Test water, secure the lid and inspect for injury

What tank mates can be considered?

The simplest answer is a species-style tank with one individual. In a 140-litre-or-larger community, robust, active fish that use a different zone and are too large to be treated as prey may sometimes work. The keeper still needs a cycled separation tank because compatibility can change with maturity or nest building.

Avoid other Macropodus, male bettas, similarly territorial gouramis, tiny fish, shrimp, slow long-finned fish and persistent fin nippers. Small invertebrates may be hunted. A bottom dweller that appears outside the paradise fish's normal zone can still become stressed if it is repeatedly intercepted at feeding time.

Every related-product link on this page is for comparison or wider browsing, not a tank-mate endorsement. Matching temperature is only one test. Adult size, mouth size, fin shape, activity, territory, feeding speed and the ability to withdraw must also align.

Potential companion	Default decision	Reason
Another male paradise fish	Avoid	Shared surface territory and serious male conflict risk
Unsexed second Macropodus	Do not assume a pair	Sex and compatibility are unknown
Male betta or territorial gourami	Avoid	Similar display and surface territory can provoke conflict
Tiny fish or shrimp	Avoid	Predation and chronic stress risk
Slow long-finned fish	Avoid	Cannot reliably escape attention
Active robust midwater fish	Case-by-case in 140 L+	Needs extra length, cover and separation capacity
Fin nippers	Avoid	Extended fins invite damage and retaliation

How does the black form compare with other paradise fish?

The separate Royal Blue Paradise Fish is sold as a propagated colour form. Aquarium Glaser documents Royal Blue as a deliberately developed form, which is why this black supplier product should not inherit Royal Blue promises simply because both use the same species name.

The Blue Paradise Fish is Macropodus opercularis, the classic Paradise Fish in a blue form. It can share general labyrinth-fish traits, but its species identity and colour description are different. The Round-Tailed Paradise Fish is another comparison, with a rounded rather than strongly forked tail profile.

Use the Gouramis & Labyrinth Fish collection to compare available products, then return to each exact page for adult size and behaviour. A collection groups related shopping choices; it does not declare them compatible with one another.

Product	Scientific anchor	Key distinction
Black Paradise Fish	Macropodus spechti	Supplier-labelled black form in this listing
Royal Blue Paradise Fish	Macropodus spechti propagated form	Separate colour-form product, not this black-form listing
Blue Paradise Fish	Macropodus opercularis	Different species and colour-form listing
Round-Tailed Paradise Fish	Macropodus ocellatus	Different accepted species and tail form

How should arrival be prepared?

Prepare and test the aquarium before dispatch. Confirm zero ammonia and nitrite, stable temperature, a secure lid, easy surface access and a protected filter intake. Dim the lights and ensure the fish has a quiet planted area. Do not wait for the parcel to arrive before cycling or repairing equipment.

Follow the instructions supplied with the order and use the acclimation timer to keep the transfer measured. Avoid leaving a sealed bag in direct light or unattended near a heat source. Do not add transport water to the display without need, and do not expose the fish to a sudden pH or temperature shift.

After release, keep disturbance low and observe balance, breathing and the ability to reach the surface. Offer a small appropriate meal only after the fish has settled. A dark fish may need neutral side lighting for inspection; do not chase it around the aquarium simply to force a photograph.

Should the fish be quarantined?

A separate cycled quarantine tank protects the new fish and the established aquarium. It allows the keeper to verify feeding, observe waste, inspect fins and skin and respond without medicating every resident. The quarantine tank still needs a secure lid, warm humid surface air, stable parameters and enough cover to prevent constant stress.

Use dedicated nets, siphons and containers where possible. Wash and dry hands and tools between systems. Observe before medicating; preventive treatment without a diagnosis can add stress, damage biological filtration and hide the real cause of abnormal behaviour.

Quarantine length depends on the source, symptoms and professional advice rather than one universal number. Extend observation if there is appetite loss, abnormal waste, fin damage, respiratory change or a confirmed exposure. Never shorten quarantine merely because the display tank looks more attractive.

What health signs should be monitored?

A settled fish should maintain an even body line, move with control, reach the surface normally and show interest in suitable food. Fins should be open when relaxed, and body condition should remain full without swelling. Learn the individual's ordinary breathing and resting behaviour so a real change is easier to detect.

Warning signs include persistent refusal of food, hollowing, swelling, white patches, sores, reddening, clamped or torn fins, repeated rubbing, loss of balance, rapid breathing or remaining at the surface continuously. First test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature, then inspect the filter, heater and companions.

Seek an aquatic veterinarian or qualified fish-health professional for persistent or severe signs. Do not combine medications by guesswork. Active ingredients, actual water volume, oxygen demand and filter effects matter, and some treatments are unsafe for particular fish or invertebrates.

Sign	Immediate checks	Escalation
Missed food after arrival	Water, light, shelter, food size and disturbance	Act if refusal persists or body condition declines
Changed surface breathing	Ammonia, nitrite, temperature, oxygen and gills	Urgent action for distress or balance loss
Torn fins	Tank mates, sharp decor and intake guards	Separate if damage or pursuit continues
Dark fish becomes unusually pale	Stress, lighting, conflict and water change	Investigate persistent colour loss with other signs
Rubbing or flashing	Water chemistry, skin and gill irritation	Obtain diagnosis before treatment

How do Black Paradise Fish breed?

FishBase records bubble-nest spawning. A male may build a nest at the surface beneath floating cover, court a female and guard the eggs. That biology explains why calm surface areas and floating plants can matter, but seeing a nest does not make an ordinary community aquarium a safe breeding setup.

Conditioning and pairing should be attempted only by a keeper who can identify the fish, monitor aggression and separate them immediately. A male may become highly defensive before or after spawning. The female may need removal, and the male may later need removal when fry become free swimming.

Fry require tiny first foods, stable warm humid air above shallow water and excellent hygiene. Breeding outcome is never guaranteed, and this unsexed product is not sold as a breeding pair. Do not order two on the assumption that one will be male and one female.

Who is this listing suitable for?

Choose this fish if you want a dark, attentive labyrinth fish and can manage territorial behaviour. A keeper should be comfortable testing water, maintaining a covered planted aquarium, observing individual behaviour and moving a fish if compatibility fails. The best ordinary display is often one specimen with the whole layout planned around it.

Do not choose it for a bowl, open nano aquarium, breeding shrimp colony, delicate long-finned community or tank already containing a male paradise fish or betta. It is also a poor impulse purchase for someone selecting only by colour. The dark form is attractive, but care rests on adult behaviour and surface access rather than a guaranteed shade.

Browse the wider freshwater fish collection if the current aquarium is too small or too peaceful for this species. Choosing a better-fit animal is more responsible than trying to force the Black Paradise Fish into an unsuitable community.

Your setup	Fit	Reason
Covered 100 L planted species tank	Strong fit for one	Supports surface access, territory and observation
140 L+ robust community with spare tank	Possible with caution	Compatibility still needs individual assessment
Open 40 L aquarium	Unsuitable	Insufficient territory and jump protection
Shrimp breeding tank	Unsuitable	Small invertebrates may be hunted
Tank with male betta or paradise fish	Unsuitable	Shared surface territory creates conflict risk
First aquarium not yet cycled	Not ready	Water stability must exist before livestock arrives

What does responsible long-term ownership involve?

Plan for the adult before ordering the juvenile. Confirm the permanent tank, lid, filter, maintenance routine and separation option. Budget for electricity, food, testing and replacement equipment. A fish that appears hardy still depends on daily observation and stable water.

Never release aquarium fish, plants or water into a pond, stream, canal or other natural waterway. If circumstances change, contact a reputable aquatic retailer, experienced keeper or rescue early. Rehoming becomes harder once there is an emergency, so keep purchase records and accurate species information.

Use source-based care as a starting point and adjust within safe limits to the individual. Online care numbers are not a substitute for measured water, actual behaviour and professional health advice. When two sources disagree, treat the uncertainty openly rather than choosing the smallest tank or most convenient claim.

How do ordering, delivery and support work?

Select the live size option and quantity only after checking the adult plan. Current stock and price are shown by the selector. Eligible orders can use WELCOME10 for 10% off under the current checkout terms; eligibility should be confirmed in the cart rather than assumed from this page.

Read the current live-fish delivery information before ordering, including dispatch coverage and preparation. Eligible livestock deliveries are supported by the Live Arrival Guarantee. The returns and Live Arrival Guarantee page is the current source for evidence times, reporting steps and remedies.

Keep the delivery day clear, have the aquarium ready and inspect the unopened bag promptly. If there is a concern, follow the guarantee instructions before acclimation. The guarantee supports arrival; it does not replace a cycled aquarium, correct water or long-term compatibility planning.

Which sources support this care guide?

Identity, range, published size, water and breathing mode were checked against FishBase's Macropodus spechti summary. Historic names were checked against the FishBase nomenclature record. Both support the accepted scientific name and prevent the page from treating old synonyms as separate retail species.

Taxonomic caution is based on the Winstanley and Clements review of Macropodus. Secondary husbandry context was compared with Fishipedia's species profile. The separate identity of the propagated Royal Blue form was checked against Aquarium Glaser's Royal Blue note.

General welfare planning was cross-checked against the RSPCA's guidance on a suitable fish environment and fish social needs. Tank dimensions on this page remain Tropical Fish Co recommendations inferred from the species' adult form and territorial behaviour; they are not falsely attributed to those sources.

Black Paradise Fish FAQs

Is Black Paradise Fish the same as Royal Blue Paradise Fish?

No. This product is the supplier-labelled black form of Macropodus spechti. Royal Blue is a separately propagated colour form with its own product page. The fish selected here should not be expected to show the Royal Blue form's selected colour.

What is the accepted scientific name?

The accepted name used here is Macropodus spechti Schreitmuller, 1936. Macropodus concolor and M. opercularis concolor are historic synonyms that may still appear in older aquarium literature.

How many fish does one quantity include?

One selected quantity includes one live, unsexed fish in the chosen approximate size band. It is not a pair, and ordering two does not guarantee a compatible male and female.

What size will the fish be when supplied?

The selector may offer approximately 3-4 cm or 4-5 cm fish. These are live-trade bands rather than exact measurements, and they do not guarantee age, sex or final adult size.

How large does Macropodus spechti become?

FishBase records 5.8 cm standard length, which excludes the tail. For aquarium planning, allow roughly 8-10 cm including mature finnage, while recognising that individuals vary.

What tank size does one Black Paradise Fish need?

Tropical Fish Co recommends around 100 litres and at least 80 cm length for one adult. A carefully assessed community should use 140 litres or more, with substantial cover and a cycled separation option.

Does the aquarium need a lid?

Yes. Paradise fish can jump and must breathe at the surface. Use a close-fitting lid, secure every gap and leave a warm humid air space above accessible water.

What temperature should be maintained?

Keep a stable 20-26°C. Avoid rapid temperature changes and preserve good gas exchange, especially toward the warm end of the range.

What pH and hardness are suitable?

A practical range is pH 6.5-7.8 and approximately 8-20 dGH. Stable, acclimated water is safer than abruptly changing chemistry to chase a midpoint.

What does Black Paradise Fish eat?

Use a quality floating or slow-sinking prepared food as the base, with varied frozen or live invertebrate foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworm in controlled portions.

Is this a beginner fish?

It is physically resilient but behaviourally demanding. A prepared keeper with a cycled covered tank can succeed, but territoriality and tank-mate selection make it less suitable as an impulsive first community fish.

Can two Black Paradise Fish live together?

Do not assume they can. Unsexed juveniles may later become incompatible, and mature males can fight. Keeping more than one requires sex confirmation, extra space, close observation and immediate separation capacity.

Can it live with a betta?

A male betta is not recommended. Both fish use surface territory and display with extended fins, creating a substantial risk of repeated conflict.

Can it live with gouramis?

Do not treat gouramis as automatic companions. Similar labyrinth-fish displays and shared upper-water territory can cause conflict. A large robust community still needs individual assessment and a spare tank.

Will it eat shrimp or small fish?

Small shrimp and very small fish may be hunted or chronically stressed. This is not a safe choice for a shrimp breeding colony or delicate nano community.

How can male and female fish be identified?

Mature males may develop longer finnage and stronger display, while females can be shorter-finned and fuller-bodied. Juveniles vary, so this listing does not guarantee sex from appearance.

How does this species breed?

It is a bubble-nest spawner. The male may build and defend a surface nest, and aggression can rise around spawning. A controlled breeding attempt needs a dedicated setup and a cycled separation tank.

Is the gallery an exact photo of the fish sent?

No. The one protected image is a representative illustration, not an exact-stock photograph. It cannot guarantee sex, size, markings, lineage or the colour shown under a particular light.

Is the fish covered by the Live Arrival Guarantee?

Eligible livestock orders are covered under the current Live Arrival Guarantee terms. Read the returns page before delivery and follow its evidence and reporting instructions promptly if there is a concern.

Can WELCOME10 be used on this fish?

WELCOME10 currently provides 10% off where the order and customer are eligible under the checkout terms. Enter it in the cart to confirm applicability; this description does not override Shopify's live discount rules.