Moderate; territorial behaviour requires prepared management
Black Paradise Fish (Macropodus spechti)
20–26°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 100L
£7.99
One unsexed Round-Tailed Paradise Fish (Macropodus ocellatus) per quantity. Choose an approximate 4-4.5 cm or 5-6 cm dispatch grade for a spacious, covered cool-to-subtropical aquarium.
Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.
One unsexed Round-Tailed Paradise Fish (Macropodus ocellatus) per quantity. Choose an approximate 4-4.5 cm or 5-6 cm dispatch grade for a spacious, covered cool-to-subtropical aquarium.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Round-Tailed Paradise Fish is the clearest common name for Macropodus ocellatus, an East Asian labyrinth fish recognised by its deep body, blue-green iridescence and rounded caudal fin. Older supplier lists often call this stock Chinese Paradise Fish or Macropodus chinensis. The revised identity is not a newly invented variety: published taxonomic work explains that the old name was historically misapplied to M. ocellatus.
This product has two dispatch-size choices. Select the approximately 4-4.5 cm option or the approximately 5-6 cm option when that size is available. Each selected basket quantity supplies one unsexed live fish. It does not include two fish, a bonded pair or a guaranteed male and female. The protected pricing:pair tag controls part of the storefront pricing interface; it is not the sale unit.
This is a temperate-to-subtropical paradise fish, not a pearl gourami and not a conventional permanently warm community gourami. FishBase publishes a broad environmental range of 4-25°C, but occurrence across that range is not an instruction to expose an aquarium fish to rapid extremes. For indoor care, Tropical Fish Co recommends a stable, seasonally sensible 15-22°C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 5-25 dGH. Avoid holding it indefinitely at the high temperatures commonly used for warm-water gouramis.
The species is intelligent, surface-oriented and territorial. A single specimen can make a compelling feature fish, while adult males and breeding fish may be forceful around rivals. Choose it for a spacious, covered aquarium with broken sight lines, surface access and carefully selected companions. It is not a passive ornament for a cramped mixed-gourami tank.
Quantity one means one live fish from the selected size option. Increasing the quantity increases the number supplied one by one. It does not convert the order into a specially matched pair, and no sex can be selected remotely. This wording matters because a functional pricing tag is present on the product, but that tag does not override the actual sale unit.
The smaller option is approximately 4-4.5 cm and the larger option approximately 5-6 cm. These figures are practical supplier bands, not exact measurements to the millimetre. Living fish grow, settle differently in a measuring vessel and vary naturally in body depth, fin extension and condition. The selected band describes the dispatch grade rather than the eventual adult size.
The Shopify selector on this page is the source of truth for current availability and price. A size can remain visible while temporarily out of stock so customers can understand the full product range. Do not rely on an old screenshot, a search-result price or text quoted elsewhere; the basket and checkout use the live variant record.
| Selection | What is supplied | What is not promised |
|---|---|---|
| 4-4.5 cm option | One unsexed fish in the smaller dispatch grade | An exact 4.5 cm measurement or known sex |
| 5-6 cm option | One unsexed fish in the larger dispatch grade when available | A fully grown adult or breeding-ready individual |
| Quantity 2 | Two fish from the selected available grade | A male-female pair, bond or compatibility guarantee |
| Gallery media | Representative views of the listed stock type | The exact individual packed for the order |
GBIF accepts Macropodus ocellatus, and FishBase uses Round-tailed paradise fish as the English common name. A peer-reviewed review of Chinese Macropodus records explains that this species had been misidentified in earlier studies as M. chinensis. Using the accepted identity gives customers, search engines and care systems one dependable taxonomic anchor.
The history is unusually confusing. Published taxonomic discussion notes that the actual name M. chinensis is a junior synonym of M. opercularis, yet the same label was repeatedly applied in trade and regional literature to the round-tailed species. The supplier wording is therefore preserved in the provenance record and mentioned here for recognition, but it should not displace the accepted name.
The legacy URL contains the words pearl gourami, but URL preservation protects existing links and does not define the animal. Pearl Gourami is Trichopodus leerii, a different warm-water species with different appearance, social behaviour and adult requirements. This listing is for a Macropodus paradise fish.
The rounded tail is one of the most useful distinctions from the familiar pointed or forked look of some related paradise fish forms. Adults have a robust body, extended dorsal and anal fins, iridescent blue-green patterning and a dark blue opercular mark. Colour intensity changes with sex, maturity, mood, condition, lighting and breeding state, so no fixed shade is guaranteed.
| Identity field | Evidence-led value |
|---|---|
| Accepted name | Macropodus ocellatus (Cantor, 1842) |
| Best common name | Round-Tailed Paradise Fish |
| Older supplier wording | Chinese Paradise Fish / Macropodus chinensis |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Broad native context | East Asia, including records from China, Korea and Japan |
| Batch locality | Not supplied; no wild locality or captive-bred claim is made |
Published ecological work records the species in shallow ponds, ditches, canals and rice-paddy environments. Such habitats may be slow moving, heavily vegetated and seasonally variable. That does not mean a home aquarium should be stagnant or dirty. It means the layout should provide cover, calm areas and access to the surface while filtration keeps nitrogen waste controlled.
FishBase reports the fish from China, Japan and Korea. Exact population relationships and local adaptations are more complex than one retail paragraph can capture. The supplier has not provided a collection locality, strain history or farm record for this batch, so the product is not advertised as locality-pure, wild-caught or conservation stock.
The species occurs much farther north than many aquarium gouramis and has been reported active beneath ice. This is useful evidence that it is not dependent on constant tropical heat. It is not permission to freeze a glass aquarium, imitate abrupt outdoor weather or move a fish quickly between extremes. Indoor husbandry should use controlled seasonal moderation.
FishBase reports a maximum total length of about 8.6 cm. Use that figure to plan the aquarium rather than treating the 4-6 cm dispatch options as final size. Total length includes the caudal fin, and individual growth depends on genetics, sex, health, diet and environmental history. No responsible listing can guarantee an exact adult measurement.
The body is deeper than that of a streamlined schooling fish, with long dorsal and anal fins that frame the rear half. The caudal fin remains broadly rounded. Mature males usually develop stronger extension and display, but juvenile and resting fish may look less dramatic than a displaying adult photographed under ideal light.
Blue-green iridescence, darker bars, reddish fin tones and the opercular spot can strengthen or soften. Transport, hierarchy, background, diet and camera processing all affect appearance. A pale arrival is not automatically the wrong fish. Allow a settled animal to recover while checking breathing, posture and water quality before judging final colour.
All four pre-existing Shopify images remain attached in their original order. Recovery work does not remove, replace or move customer-facing media merely to make the gallery look newer.
The aquarium scenes are representative illustrations derived from the site-owned stock reference. They show the intended round-tailed body form but are not packing-bench photographs of the exact animal dispatched. Plants, wood, substrate, companions and apparent scale in an illustration are not included with the order and do not establish a stocking recommendation.
The appended legacy source is preserved as an additional identification view. It shows the deep body, rounded caudal and extended fins associated with this stock. It is added after the existing gallery, not promoted by deleting earlier media. Natural livestock can differ in pattern, sex expression and fin condition while remaining the same listed species.
| Gallery evidence | Useful interpretation | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| First image | Representative feature-fish view with rounded caudal profile | Not the exact dispatched specimen or a tank-size scale |
| Second image | Representative pair scene showing possible adult display | Does not mean two fish are included |
| Third and fourth images | Additional side and habitat-style views | Decor and companions are illustrative |
| Recovered fifth image | Site-owned stock-form reference | Still representative rather than a packing photograph |
The fish is adapted to seasonal habitats and can tolerate conditions that would not suit delicate warm-water species. That resilience is only one part of care. Territorial behaviour, surface-breathing access, temperature planning, a secure lid and careful companion choice create a real husbandry burden. Moderate is more honest than calling it an easy beginner fish.
A suitable keeper can test water, run a mature filter, recognise aggression and provide alternative accommodation if a pairing fails. The aquarium should be planned around this species rather than purchased as an afterthought for an already crowded community. A prepared first-time fishkeeper can learn these skills, but a first-day uncycled tank is unsuitable.
Published size, chemistry, distribution and reproductive observations are reported as evidence. The 80-litre starting point and 15-22°C display range are conservative shop-level judgements intended to reduce risk. They are not presented as experimentally proven thresholds, and they should be adjusted upward when the stocking plan increases conflict or waste.
| Care field | Working value | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Care level | Moderate | Territoriality and seasonal temperature planning require attention |
| Temperament | Territorial, semi-aggressive | Individuals and breeding state vary |
| Tank region | Upper and middle water | Unobstructed surface access is essential |
| Diet | Insect-focused carnivore/omnivore | Use a complete staple plus varied suitable foods |
| Social minimum | One | No mandatory shoal; multiple males are not a default group |
| Adult plan | Up to about 8.6 cm total length | Allow room for territory as well as body length |
For one fish, start with a covered aquarium at least about 75 cm long and around 80 litres. A long footprint creates more usable territory and escape distance than a narrow tall vessel with the same nominal volume. This is a starting point, not a claim that every 80-litre layout is automatically suitable.
A carefully observed male-female combination, a community or any plan involving another territorial labyrinth fish needs more room, more visual barriers and a separation option. A tank that appears peaceful before maturity can change when hormones or nest defence develops. Do not choose the minimum volume and then fill every remaining litre with companions.
Adult males may display, chase and injure one another. Dense structure can interrupt sight, but it cannot make an undersized tank safe or guarantee a stable hierarchy. Keeping several males should be treated as an experienced, closely observed project with spare accommodation, not as ordinary group care.
No evidence-based shoal minimum is asserted for this listing. One individual can be maintained as the principal fish in a suitable aquarium with enrichment, appropriate feeding and stable care. Solitary housing does not remove the need for cover and observation, but it avoids inventing a social requirement that may increase conflict.
Two unsexed fish are not necessarily a pair. Even a confirmed male and female may not coexist safely at all times, especially around spawning. Provide dense refuge, observe from first introduction and be ready to separate. The shop cannot select sex or guarantee a reproductive bond from size-grade stock.
Paradise fish are sometimes grouped casually with peaceful community gouramis, but this species has its own territorial behaviour. Describing a minimum shoal would encourage customers to buy more animals without proving the tank can support them. Stock number should be determined by footprint, sex, maturity, companions and an exit plan.
Use 15-22°C as a controlled indoor maintenance range. A seasonal movement within that window can be more natural than permanent high heat, provided changes are gradual. A published occurrence range of 4-25°C describes the species across environments; it does not make sudden transfers between 4 and 25 safe.
FishBase reports pH 6.0-7.5. Stability and acclimation matter alongside the number. Do not pour pH-adjusting chemicals into the aquarium simply to hit a decimal. Understand source-water alkalinity, aeration and the materials in the tank before attempting any controlled adjustment.
The published hardness range is broad. Test the actual water and compare it with the supplier/acclimation plan rather than assuming all UK tap water is similar. A fish arriving from different chemistry should be acclimated deliberately; a wide reported species range does not eliminate osmotic stress during a rapid change.
A hardy reputation never makes ammonia or nitrite acceptable. Both should remain at 0 mg/l in a cycled aquarium. Track nitrate against the established baseline, stocking and source water, then use appropriate water changes and feeding control. Clear water can still contain dangerous dissolved waste.
| Parameter | Target or evidence | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor temperature | 15-22°C | Stable, gradual and seasonally sensible |
| Published environmental temperature | 4-25°C | Context, not an instruction to force extremes |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 | Avoid rapid chemical correction |
| General hardness | 5-25 dGH | Measure the aquarium and acclimate to real differences |
| Ammonia | 0 mg/l | Any detectable result needs immediate action |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/l | Any detectable result means the biofilter is not coping safely |
| Nitrate | Manage against the system baseline | Control through stocking, feeding, plants and water changes |
The water parameter matcher can help compare published needs with a planned aquarium, but it cannot replace liquid testing and observation. Water companies can change supply blending, and two homes in the same town may not receive identical chemistry.
A cool room can suit the species better than it suits warm tropical fish, but temperature should still be monitored. Avoid placing the aquarium against a freezing window, over a radiator or where overnight swings are severe. A heater may be used as a low safety floor when the room would otherwise fall outside the planned range.
Heatwaves can push a covered aquarium above the intended range and reduce dissolved oxygen. Increase safe surface movement, shade the room, reduce unnecessary lighting heat and monitor temperature through the day. Do not use abrupt ice additions or pour cold water directly onto livestock. A fan changes evaporation and may require closer top-up management.
Seasonality means a controlled pattern, not daily instability. Large rapid shifts can stress immune function and gas balance even when both endpoints appear somewhere in a published range. Match replacement water reasonably, avoid large unscheduled temperature corrections and keep a simple log when the room changes significantly.
Before ordering, establish that the filter can process waste. Test ammonia and nitrite over time rather than relying on clear water, a running pump or a bottle label. Adding old aquarium water contributes very little useful filter bacteria compared with mature media and does not prove capacity.
Clean reusable filter media gently in removed aquarium water when flow is reduced. Do not replace every mature medium at once or rinse biological media under untreated chlorinated tap water. After medication, a power interruption or a major stock change, test more often until performance is confirmed.
One fish still adds food and waste, while a community compounds both. Introduce stock conservatively and watch the filter response instead of treating the rated tank volume as unused capacity. Territorial animals also need spatial margin, so a chemically possible stocking number may still be behaviourally unsafe.
Macropodus species possess a labyrinth organ and regularly take atmospheric air. That adaptation helps them use oxygen-poor natural waters, but it does not excuse poor aquarium maintenance. The fish must reach the surface freely, and the water should still be filtered, oxygenated and free from nitrogen toxins.
Use a close-fitting lid because paradise fish can jump. Leave normal access to humid air above the water and avoid filling a sealed cover so high that the fish cannot breathe comfortably. Check cable, pipe and filter gaps without blocking ventilation required by the equipment.
Floating plants can soften light, provide cover and support natural surface behaviour. Thin them so the entire surface does not become an impenetrable mat. A mix of sheltered and open breathing areas is better than either a bare bright ceiling or complete obstruction.
Choose a filter that supports the whole stocking plan and can run continuously. Sponge, internal, hang-on and external systems can all work when appropriately sized and maintained. Protect strong intakes where a smaller dispatch-grade fish could be pinned, and keep spare aeration available for hot weather or emergencies.
Natural habitat evidence does not suggest a fish that needs constant torrent conditions. Create gentle-to-moderate circulation with calmer planted margins and enough surface ripple for gas exchange. If the animal spends all day fighting one jet or hiding from current, redirect the outlet rather than assuming more flow is always healthier.
Routine air gulps are normal, but frantic repeated breathing, clamped fins, loss of balance or several tank inhabitants crowding the surface require investigation. Check temperature, ammonia, nitrite, aeration and equipment operation promptly. The labyrinth organ can mask deteriorating conditions until the wider system is already unsafe.
Use wood, rocks and tall plants to divide the aquarium visually. A pursued fish needs routes around structure, not a single cave with one entrance. Hardscape should be stable, aquarium-safe and arranged before the fish arrives so emergency rescapes are less likely.
Sand or smooth gravel can both work. Select a substrate that can be kept clean and that suits any bottom-dwelling companions. Sharp fragments, exposed metal, flaking paint and calcareous materials used without understanding their chemistry should be avoided.
Plant the rear and sides to provide retreat and nest-area separation while leaving open routes through the middle and upper water. Hardy cool-tolerant plants are more appropriate than plants that require tropical heat. The fish may weave through fine cover but should not be able to become trapped behind rigid decor.
| Layout element | Purpose | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Secure lid | Prevents jumping and protects the air-breathing zone | Leaving wide cable gaps or blocking all air exchange |
| Floating cover | Softens light and supports surface behaviour | Allowing a solid mat to block every breathing route |
| Tall plants and wood | Breaks sight lines and creates retreat | Making one dead-end cave that traps a pursued fish |
| Open upper water | Allows swimming, display and surface access | Filling the entire footprint with rigid ornament |
| Stable hardscape | Provides durable territorial boundaries | Balancing stones where activity can dislodge them |
A published dietary study found mosquito larvae important in the wild diet. That supports an insect-focused feeding strategy, but it does not mean customers should collect larvae from polluted standing water. Aquarium feeding must be nutritionally complete, traceable and appropriately sized.
Use a high-quality floating or slow-sinking carnivore/omnivore pellet or granule sized for the mouth. A complete prepared food helps supply vitamins and minerals that a single frozen item cannot. Observe that the fish actually eats; surface-oriented individuals may ignore food that drops rapidly behind decor.
Offer suitable frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae or bloodworm in rotation. Match prey size to the fish and source live foods responsibly. Variety can encourage natural hunting and condition, but rich foods should not become uncontrolled daily excess.
Feed a modest amount that is taken promptly, then adjust to body condition, temperature and community competition. Metabolism can slow in cooler conditions. Remove persistent leftovers and do not assume that an assertive fish needs more food simply because it begs at the glass.
| Food | Role | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Complete carnivore/omnivore pellet | Reliable staple nutrition | Choose an appropriate size and confirm it is eaten |
| Daphnia or brine shrimp | Variety and hunting response | Use a safe source and avoid excessive portions |
| Mosquito larvae | Reflects documented prey | Do not collect from contaminated or pesticide-exposed water |
| Bloodworm | Occasional rich food | Not a complete exclusive diet |
| Flake | Can supplement a varied ration | Generic low-quality flake should not be the only food |
| Wild insects | Potential enrichment only when safe | Avoid unknown species, hard parts, chemicals and contaminated sites |
Many settled fish do well with one or two small feeds per day, but there is no universal spoonful. Cooler water, age and activity affect appetite. Juveniles may benefit from smaller frequent portions, whereas an adult in a cool seasonal period may require less. Body shape and waste trends should guide adjustment.
An assertive surface feeder may take more than its share before slower fish reach food. Distribute portions across the surface or use foods with different sink rates where compatible species require it. Conversely, do not overfeed the whole aquarium merely because one shy new arrival has not yet learned the routine.
A newly transported fish may refuse food briefly. Check temperature, water quality, respiration and aggression, then offer a small familiar food without leaving it to decay. Prolonged refusal, weight loss or abnormal faeces needs diagnosis rather than repeated food changes alone.
A companion may share the same pH and temperature yet still be unsafe. The round-tail can defend the upper water, especially when mature or nesting. Tank mates need enough room to avoid that territory and should not be slow, long-finned targets or persistent fin nippers.
In a larger, structured aquarium, robust non-territorial midwater fish with overlapping cool-to-subtropical requirements may work. Peaceful bottom dwellers can also occupy a different zone if their temperature and water chemistry match. Every introduction remains individual and needs observation; no species name creates a compatibility guarantee.
Other paradise fish, bettas and territorial gouramis can trigger display or fighting. Very small fish may be treated as prey, while slow long-finned fish may be harassed. Fast fin nippers can damage the extended dorsal and anal fins. A mixed labyrinth display is a specialist plan, not a default recommendation.
Avoid cramped tanks, multiple adult males without extensive planning, warm communities maintained permanently above the intended range, and any setup with no way to separate aggression. Do not combine it with species whose welfare requires conditions at the opposite end of the temperature spectrum.
| Tank-mate type | Assessment | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Robust, non-nipping subtropical midwater fish | Possible with space | Needs overlapping chemistry and escape room |
| Peaceful bottom dwellers | Possible with care | Different zone can reduce conflict; temperature must match |
| Another male paradise fish | High risk | Territorial display can become injury |
| Bettas or assertive gouramis | High risk | Similar body language and surface territory can provoke fighting |
| Slow long-finned fish | Avoid | May be chased or bitten |
| Tiny fish or fry | Avoid where loss matters | Can be viewed as prey |
| Warm-water specialists | Poor long-term match | Permanent high temperature conflicts with seasonal care |
Adult shrimp may coexist in a large, densely structured aquarium, but shrimplets and moulting individuals are vulnerable. A paradise fish is an opportunistic predator with an insect-focused diet. Do not use it in a valuable shrimp-breeding project unless predation losses are accepted.
Established snails may be ignored, but exploratory pecking can occur and very small invertebrates are at greater risk. Check that the cool-to-subtropical temperature plan also suits the snail species. Invertebrate compatibility should never be inferred from one peaceful photograph.
Eggs and fry of other fish are potential food. A community spawning may produce occasional survivors in dense plants, but this animal should not be placed in a breeding tank where maximum fry survival is the goal. Move breeders or eggs to a controlled setup rather than expecting territorial adults to ignore them.
A settled fish often patrols the upper and middle levels, inspects plant margins and rises for air. It may learn feeding routines and approach the keeper. Hiding after delivery can be normal, but persistent isolation should be assessed alongside colour, breathing, appetite and harassment.
Fin spreading, lateral presentation, chasing and control of a surface patch can be territorial signals. Display is not harmless merely because no torn fin is visible yet. Repeatedly preventing another fish from feeding or resting is enough reason to intervene.
Clamped fins, loss of balance, gasping beyond normal air-breathing, rapid gill movement, unexplained spots, ulcers, persistent refusal to eat or sudden pallor deserve prompt checks. Start with temperature, ammonia, nitrite, equipment and aggression. Do not add medication before understanding the likely cause and whether the product is safe for every tank inhabitant.
Published captive observations describe the male building a bubble nest at the surface. Floating plants or sheltered surface structure can provide support. A nest is a reproductive behaviour, not proof that the aquarium can safely raise fry or that two unsexed retail fish are a compatible pair.
Conditioned adults may display and embrace beneath the nest. The male tends eggs at the surface. Sex, maturity, fertility and spawning cannot be guaranteed from this listing, and customers should never increase temperature or crowd fish solely to force a breeding result.
The captive study reported the male becoming aggressive towards the female after spawning. Dense refuge and a separate recovery tank are therefore important. Waiting for visible injury before creating an exit route is poor planning. Observe closely and remove the female when aggression requires it.
Tiny fry need secure warm air above the surface, stable water, microscopic first foods and careful filtration. A sponge filter is generally safer than an exposed strong intake. Egg number and hatch success vary; this page does not promise a clutch, hatch rate or saleable juveniles.
| Breeding stage | Observed biology | Retail boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Pair formation | Sexual dimorphism strengthens with maturity | Stock is unsexed and no pair is guaranteed |
| Nest | Male constructs a surface bubble nest | Nest building does not prove successful spawning |
| Spawning | Eggs are placed into the nest area | Fertility and egg number vary |
| Post-spawn | Male can attack the female | Provide cover and a separation plan |
| Fry | Require minute foods and protected filtration | No hatch or survival guarantee |
At these dispatch sizes, fin extension, colour and body shape may not provide dependable remote sexing for every individual. Stress can suppress display, and photographs are representative. To avoid false promises, the selector does not offer male or female options.
Mature males often show stronger colour and more extended unpaired fins, while females can be fuller-bodied. These are comparative tendencies, not an infallible checklist in juveniles. A fish should not be rejected merely because it has not yet developed the display seen in an adult reference image.
Two random unsexed fish can be two males, two females or an incompatible mixed-sex combination. Quantity should be chosen because the aquarium and backup accommodation can support the possible outcomes, not because two is assumed to create a pair automatically.
Good water, sensible temperature, varied nutrition and low chronic aggression protect health more reliably than routine medication. Quarantine new livestock where practical and use separate equipment between systems. Observe appetite, respiration, fins, skin and faeces so changes are noticed early.
White spots can suggest ich, but mucus, debris and other conditions may look similar. Frayed fins can follow fighting, mechanical injury or infection. Swelling can reflect diet, eggs, organ disease or fluid imbalance. Treating a symptom name without considering history can delay the correct response.
Confirm diagnosis as far as possible, calculate true water volume and follow a current product label. Remove chemical filtration only when instructed. Check compatibility with invertebrates and plants, and never combine treatments unless the manufacturer or an aquatic veterinarian confirms that combination is appropriate.
Rapid decline, severe ulceration, persistent inability to balance, uncontrolled bleeding or repeated deaths across the aquarium justify prompt professional advice. Provide water-test results, temperature, stocking history, recent additions, treatments and clear photographs. That context is more useful than a symptom alone.
| Observation | First checks | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid breathing | Temperature, oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, aggression | That air breathing makes it normal |
| Torn fins | Tank mates, decor, territorial chasing, water quality | That medication alone stops the cause |
| White marks | Pattern, spread, behaviour, recent additions | That every white mark is the same parasite |
| Refusal to feed | Transport time, temperature, stress, waste, food size | That adding more food will fix it |
| Hiding | Cover, light, bullying, water tests, time since arrival | That one hidden day proves disease |
| Swelling | Diet, sex/maturity, symmetry, scales, faeces | That one visual sign confirms a diagnosis |
Confirm the aquarium is cycled, the lid is secure and the temperature is in the intended range before delivery. Dim the lights and keep nets, a clean container and test equipment ready. Do not begin by feeding the existing community heavily.
Follow the supplied livestock instructions and use the acclimation timer to organise the process. Avoid leaving a closed transport bag under bright light or floating it for an excessive period. Transport-water chemistry changes after opening, so a slow ritual is not automatically safer.
Where the instructions call for it, move the fish with an appropriate net or container rather than emptying transport water into the aquarium. Never expose a labyrinth fish to a long dry handling period. Keep every movement calm, covered and close to the receiving tank.
Leave lighting subdued and watch breathing, balance and interactions. A new fish may hide or appear pale while it settles. Do not chase it repeatedly for photographs. If an established resident attacks, use the prepared separation plan immediately rather than hoping that continuous pursuit will stop by itself.
Confirm that the fish can reach the surface, is not trapped behind decor and is not being pinned by current or companions. Offer only a small amount of food once it has settled; remove leftovers. Test water if behaviour is abnormal, even when the tank tested well before delivery.
Watch the same fish at different times of day. Record appetite, territory, colour, respiration and faeces. Recheck ammonia and nitrite because the added biological load and feeding can reveal limited filter capacity. Avoid major rescapes unless safety requires one.
Monthly notes on temperature, pH, hardness, nitrate trend, water changes and weight/body condition make gradual changes easier to recognise. A log is especially valuable across seasons. It also gives a veterinarian or experienced aquatic professional better evidence if a problem develops.
The common Paradise Fish, M. opercularis, usually shows a more pointed or forked caudal profile and familiar red-blue striping. Both can be territorial and both need thoughtful community planning. The accepted round-tail identity should not be collapsed into a colour morph of M. opercularis.
M. spechti, often sold as Black Paradise Fish, is another distinct species. Dark coloration alone is not a diagnosis, and lighting can make any fish appear deeper or paler. Customers interested in that animal can view the separate Black Paradise Fish listing.
Blue and red retail forms are usually associated with M. opercularis stock. They may have similar broad care themes but are not interchangeable names for this product. Compare the Blue Paradise Fish and Red Paradise Fish pages before choosing.
| Listing | Scientific identity | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| This round-tail | Macropodus ocellatus | Rounded caudal fin; cool-temperate seasonal context |
| Common Paradise Fish | Macropodus opercularis | Often stronger red-blue striping and a different caudal outline |
| Black Paradise Fish | Macropodus spechti | Distinct species with characteristically dark adult appearance |
| Pearl Gourami | Trichopodus leerii | Different genus, warmer husbandry and generally different community role |
You want a distinctive feature fish for a covered cool-to-subtropical aquarium, can provide at least a 75 cm footprint, and are willing to manage territory. You understand that one fish is supplied, colour varies and the live selector controls which size is currently available.
Your tank is permanently kept at high tropical temperatures, is less than the practical footprint, already contains territorial labyrinth fish, or has no separation option. It is also a poor choice where tiny shrimp or fry must survive, or where a slow long-finned community cannot avoid a surface territory.
Review every resident at adult size rather than comparing only the new fish with the tank volume. Use the labyrinth fish category and gourami and labyrinth collection to compare alternatives, but do not assume close relatives should share a tank.
One size may be available while the other is sold out. Select only a live option shown as available and check the basket before payment. Price, stock and dispatch status can change as supplier inventory updates; fixed figures in care prose would become misleading.
Eligible UK livestock orders are covered by the Live Arrival Guarantee when the published conditions are followed. Read the current delivery information before ordering, arrange to receive the parcel and inspect livestock promptly. Weather, postcode and dispatch-day restrictions may affect the offered service.
Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off, subject to the current promotion terms. A discount should never be used to buy an unsuitable fish. Confirm tank maturity, adult stocking, chemistry and backup accommodation before deciding on quantity.
One unsexed live fish is supplied per selected basket quantity. A functional pricing tag does not mean that two fish or a pair are included.
Choose approximately 4-4.5 cm or 5-6 cm from the live selector when available. These are dispatch bands with natural variation, not exact guaranteed measurements.
For this round-tailed stock, the accepted identity is Macropodus ocellatus. The older M. chinensis wording is retained as a supplier/trade synonym explanation because it was historically misapplied.
No. Pearl Gourami is Trichopodus leerii. This product is a round-tailed Macropodus; the pearl-gourami wording survives only inside the protected legacy URL.
Plan for up to about 8.6 cm total length and allow additional space for territory. The selected 4-6 cm option is a dispatch grade, not the adult maximum.
Tropical Fish Co recommends a stable 15-22°C for indoor care. The broader published 4-25°C environmental range is context, not an instruction to force abrupt extremes.
Yes. No mandatory shoal minimum is asserted. One may be kept as a feature fish in a suitable, enriched aquarium with appropriate care.
Multiple adult males can be highly territorial. This is not a default recommendation and requires substantially more space, broken sight lines, close observation and immediate separation capacity.
No. Stock is sold unsexed. Ordering two does not guarantee one of each sex, a compatible pair or breeding.
Predation on shrimplets or vulnerable shrimp is possible. It should not be treated as safe for a valuable shrimp-breeding project.
That depends on room conditions. A heater can be set as a low safety floor where winter temperatures would fall below the planned range, but permanent tropical heat is unnecessary and can be unsuitable.
No. The gallery contains protected representative views and a recovered stock-form reference. The dispatched animal will vary naturally in size within the selected band, colour, sex expression and fin development.
It can work in a spacious, structured cool-to-subtropical community with robust non-nipping companions and a separation plan. It is not suitable for every community and should not be mixed casually with other territorial labyrinth fish.
Eligible first-time customers can receive 10% off under the current promotion terms. The code does not change livestock suitability, stock or delivery requirements.
Editorial evidence note: Taxonomic identity, reported size, environmental chemistry, distribution, air-breathing biology and reproductive observations were checked against GBIF, FishBase and published research. Aquarium-size and practical temperature guidance are conservative Tropical Fish Co husbandry judgements. The supplier has not supplied a precise locality, sex, age or breeding-origin certificate for this batch.
Independently collected by Judge.me from customers who bought this item. All reviews are shown.
Fish missing and some fish being incorrect
20–26°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 100L
18–26°C · pH 6–8 · 80L
16–26°C · pH 6–8 · 80L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
22–28°C · pH 7–8.5 · 10L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 250L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L
20–25°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
26–30°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
